Fishers’ Perceptions of the Climate Change Impact on Fishing in Small Islands of Wakatobi

Local ecological knowledge regarding climate change in Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi remains largely unexplored, creating an important research gap concerning how indigenous insights influence community responses to climate change impacts. This is particularly critical for small-scale fisheries communities whose limited resources heighten their vulnerability. Incorporating knowledge from local fishermen is essential for improving the sustainability of these fisheries, which form the foundation of long-term community livelihoods. This study employed methodological triangulation, combining secondary data analysis with primary data collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving small-scale fishers from five vulnerable villages in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The research aimed to identify factors contributing to transformative behavior and adaptive capacities among small island communities facing climate change impacts on their livelihoods. Findings revealed significant anomalies in local weather and climate patterns over the past decade. Participants primarily recognized climate change through seasonal shifts (53%), most notably manifested in unusual wind patterns regarding both direction and speed (64%). The perceived impacts included coral reef ecosystem degradation (61%) and sea level rise (29%), with 55% of participants reporting these changes within the past two years. Additionally, 14% of participants indicated these phenomena had persisted for approximately ten years.