Climate Change and its Impact on Fisheries in Kenya

Abstract

The variability of climate is affecting adversely biodiversity of mostof the world regions. But the impact of climate change on thecoastal regions is even more pronounced. Studies have documentedthe climate change trends in different coastal regions and theensuing alterations in the marine life. Climate change effects havebeen very noticeable in the changing pattern of the marine life inthe Indian Ocean region. The impact of climate change in Kenyaseems to be causing vulnerability to fisheries and local economiesalike. This impact has a rippling effect not only on the foodproduction and livelihoods of the people living in the coastalregions but is also aggravating the problem of hunger and povertyand is thus affecting the economic growth of the region. Theresearch paper attempts to analyze the impact of climate change inbringing about environmental changes that is affecting the marineecosystem. It also elaborates of the on the impact of climate changeon the fish production and its bearing on the per capita fishavailability and food security of the local people in Kenya as thishas not been well documented. Data has been taken from the WorldDevelopment Indicator database. Data collected has been presentedgraphically using software Excel package. Trendlines to analyzeand present the data have been constructed using MS Excel toenable future predictions have also been presented where possible.