Adoption and intensity of climate change adaptation strategies in small scale fisheries in coastal Ghana using a double hurdle approach

This study examines the determinants of adoption and adoption intensity of climate change adaptation strategies (CCAS) among small-scale fishers in coastal Ghana. Applying a Double-Hurdle poisson model to survey data from 396 fishers in Glefe Wiaboma and Anlo Beach, the study finds that on average, fishers adopt only two out of eleven possible CCAS identified, pointing to a substantial adaptation gap . Education, credit access, climate information use, social group membership, length of stay in the community, Non Governmental Organization (NGO) training, and income positively influence adoption decisions, while household size has a negative effect. For adoption intensity, education, marital status, credit access, and social capital are positive determinants, whereas age and income negatively affect the number of strategies adopted. Policy should prioritize financial inclusion through tailored credit schemes, targeted climate information dissemination, adult education and NGO capacity building, strengthening of social groups, and demographic-specific support to enhance both the uptake and breadth of adaptation strategies among small-scale fishers.