Mobilizing for change: Assessing Social adaptive capacity in Micronesian fishing communities

Abstract Many Pacific islands are facing increasing anthropogenic threats including climatic impacts on the fisheries which provide communities’ livelihoods and food security. Knowledge of these communities’ social adaptive capacity is critical to inform climate adaptation planning and fisheries management in the region. The present study examines social adaptive capacity in four fishing communities in the Federated States of Micronesia and Guam. Researchers used a framework based on five social adaptive capacity factors (diversity and flexibility, access to assets, learning and knowledge, governance and institutions, and agency) to develop indicators that were relevant to the study sites and conducted 262 household surveys, seven focus groups with 45 participants, and 25 key informant interviews. A combination of quantitative and qualitative analyses shows: high levels of livelihood flexibility and perceived agency to address climate risks; social networks as most vital community asset; significant utility of traditional knowledge combined with scientific information; and, the need for governments and leadership to develop effective sustainable fisheries governance that prevents further fisheries resource degradation and helps develop alternative sustainable livelihoods for fishers.