“No fish – no fishermen”: staying as a voluntary choice despite environmental risks
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: While climate change may amplify global mobility patterns, most affected individuals voluntarily stay in their locales. This research studies the multiple forms of voluntary non-migration amidst socio-environmental challenges, focusing on the traditional fishermen community in southwestern Bangladesh. Through 25 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions, the research uncovers that despite socio-environmental obstacles, such as the loss of the primary source of livelihood – the river, a substantial number of fishermen are determined to stay in the locality voluntarily. The households who voluntarily stay face livelihood challenges that coexist with their vulnerabilities. The fishermen employ diverse livelihood strategies to cope with the adversities and strive to maintain their livelihoods in situ. This study emphasises that voluntary non-migration could serve as both an adaptation strategy in vulnerable locales and an outcome of livelihood decisions, highlighting its fluid and dynamic nature. The implications of these findings are relevant for future research and policy formulation in promoting local adaptation and supporting the population choosing to remain in place in the face of environmental challenges.
Source: Local Environment
Authors: Yuan Sun, Bishawjit Mallick, Mucahid Mustafa Bayrak
Institutions: Utrecht University, National Taiwan Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4401745882