Where the Fishing Community Heading to? Disaster-Led Occupational Transformation of the Fishing Communities in Coastal Bangladesh

Tarik Aziz*, Rabiul Islam**
* Institute of Bangladesh Studies (IBS), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
** Department of Social Work, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Periodicity:May - August'2023
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jhss.3.2.20047

Abstract

This study explores the processes and causes of occupational transformation in the fishing communities in coastal Bangladesh. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from Raruli and Godaipur Unions in Paikgaccha Upazila, Khulna district, and Jalalpur Union in Tala Upazila, Satkhira district, through questionnaire surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Findings show that coastal fishers, affected by various disasters, have been changing their fishing occupations and transitioning to other roles, such as fishing labor, fish business, shopkeeper, auto van puller, day laborer, construction worker, etc. The study also explores the causes of occupational transformation and finds that various factors, including different types of disasters such as cyclones, storm surges, riverbank erosion, salinity, flooding, etc., and other factors such as moneylender's business, decreased navigability of rivers, increased prices of fishing equipment, decreased fish populations in rivers and the sea, etc., compel them to make this transition. The study argues that occupational transformation in the fishing community will continue to increase if governmental and non-governmental organizations do not provide initiatives and alternative livelihoods in the coastal area.

Keywords

Fishing Community, Occupational Transformation, Climate Change, Cyclone, Coastal Bangladesh.

How to Cite this Article?

Aziz, T., and Islam, R. (2023). Where the Fishing Community Heading to? Disaster-Led Occupational Transformation of the Fishing Communities in Coastal Bangladesh. i-manager’s Journal on Humanities & Social Sciences, 3(2), 60-68. https://doi.org/10.26634/jhss.3.2.20047

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