Adaptive Capacity and Recovery of Small‐Scale Fishers Following Cyclone Impacts: Evidence From Lake Chilwa, Malawi

ABSTRACT Climate‐induced extreme events increasingly threaten small‐scale fisheries and fishing‐dependent communities, yet evidence on post‐cyclone recovery and adaptive capacity in inland lake systems remains limited. This study examined perceived changes in fish catches, fishing practices, adaptive capacity, recovery patterns and community resilience following Cyclone Freddy in the Lake Chilwa Basin, Malawi. A mixed‐methods approach was employed in April 2025, involving 350 respondents across seven fishing communities, including 149 fishers, complemented by seven focus group discussions and 28 key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, ordered logistic regression and a Community Resilience Index (CRI) based on natural, human, financial, social and physical capital. Fishers reported lower catch categories following the cyclone, attributed to habitat destruction and deteriorating water quality. Fishing‐trip frequency also changed significantly between pre‐ and post‐cyclone periods. More than half (54.4%) resumed fishing within 3 months, with a mean resumption time of 4.15 months. Ordered logistic regression identified infrastructure quality as the only statistically significant individual‐level predictor of higher adaptive capacity (OR = 3.51, p = 0.009). Equipment condition, full recovery status, financial access, income change, confidence in recovery, age, household size and recovery time were not statistically significant. Significant spatial differences were observed, with fishers in Kachulu, Namakwaila and Nkuba having lower odds of reporting higher adaptive capacity than those in Gudumuka. The CRI showed that natural capital was generally the strongest livelihood‐capital dimension, whereas physical capital was comparatively weak across communities. The findings demonstrate that resuming fishing does not necessarily constitute full livelihood recovery or resilience. Strengthening resilience therefore requires investment in flood‐resilient fisheries infrastructure, market and transport connectivity, financial and social‐support mechanisms, climate early‐warning systems and habitat protection. Recovery interventions should be place‐specific and extend beyond restoring fishing activity to rebuilding broader livelihood systems.