The perceptions of climate change among subsistence fishers in Paternoster, South Africa

Vulnerable communities worldwide are threatened increasingly by climate change, and one of the most affected groups are subsistence fishers who depend heavily on the fragile marine ecosystem and environment. This study looks at the experiences, perceptions and strategies concerning adapting to change of subsistence fishers in Paternoster. Paternoster is a historical coastal town on the West Coast of South Africa. The study made use of thematic analysis of structured interviews with 33 subsistence fishers from Paternoster. The research showed a high dependence on marine resources. These fishers rely on marine resources not just for income and subsistence but also as an important element of their cultural identity passed down from generation to generation. The marine ecosystem and environment are becoming increasingly unstable. Important findings relating to the environment in which the subsistence fishers operate included a notable decline in fish stocks, increasing weather unpredictability and rising operation costs. The combination of these factors contributes to an increase in food insecurity, economic hardship and psychological distress. The fishers meet these challenges with remarkable resilience by making use of intergenerational traditional knowledge and relying on their strong sense of community. Younger generations, however, put traditional ecological knowledge at risk because they migrate from fishing communities and seek alternative forms of income due to environmental changes and economic pressure. By giving context to local perceptions and combining it with scientific literature, the study aims to bring light to the need for the integration of indigenous knowledge (also referred to as traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)) into climate change policy and marine resource management. The research findings show that there is a need for more inclusive and culturally acknowledging strategies that seek to preserve traditional practices and aid community resilience in response to the threat of climate change. This research aims to contribute to academic sources on climate change adaptation but also seeks to give voice to the subsistence fishers who are most impacted and offer insights to contribute to sustainable solutions that consider the local perspective. Ultimately, the findings emphasise the urgency of inclusive, local-based climate action—one that will prioritise the voices of the vulnerable for creating equitable and sustainable pathways forward.

Grantor dc:publisher

Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Cronje, Clarissa

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Donaldson, Ronnie

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135704

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135704