Survival Decisions and Adaptation Strategies of Small-scale Fishers in the Face of Extreme Weather Impacts in Coastal Areas

The survival decision of small-scale fisherman in coastal regions amidst adverse weather conditions is a constant one due to the absence of alternative employment opportunities. Their survival is contingent upon their catches and revenues. Severe weather conditions in coastal regions offer fishermen limited alternatives for making judgments regarding fishing in marine seas. Fishermen must design adaptation methods to address the difficulties and opportunities presented by the detrimental impacts of environmental change in coastal regions. This study employs quantitative methodologies, including surveys and descriptive techniques. A logistic regression model employing maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) is utilized to examine the determinants affecting survival decisions during extreme weather events and the adaption tactics of fishermen to such conditions through a SWOT analysis. This study determined that fishing revenue, fishing experience, and programs promoting environmentally responsible fishing gear enhance the likelihood of fishermen's survival decisions under harsh weather circumstances. Fishermen can apply adaptation techniques for extreme weather circumstances by minimizing damages through economic and environmental adjustments, optimizing various government assistance programs, and enhancing patron-client relationships and interaction patterns. Policymakers can enable fishermen's adaptive strategies to develop solutions that assist them in managing harsh weather according to their requirements, capacities, and interests.