Climate Change Impact on Fisheries Sector in West Coast of Malaysia: Adaptive Strategy and Measures to Mitigate the Environmental Issues

Abstract

The main source of fish production resides in fisheries, which eventually contributes to increase in Malaysia’s economy. Among the 13 states of Malaysia, Selangor is recorded as a huge landing for marine fish, which is the third-largest in number for the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. As a result, the livelihood of Selangor rural community especially the fisheries has partly contributed to the income of these communities. However, these fisheries required to be maintained properly for sustainable fisheries development. Moreover, the problems need to be identified that are faced by this coastal area fisheries community, where the liabilities are allied with environmental and social features. Thus. This study aims to conduct an in-depth interview with focus group discussion (FGD) session to collect data and determine the problem arises in this community in Selangor of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia due to climate change. Finally, this FGD studies local communities observations on adaptive strategy and measures to alleviate the adverse effects of climate change such as floods, salinity intrusion, coastal erosion, and sea-level rise. Consequently, this FGD session output will help the local government to take into consideration the increment of the fishermen incentives and subsidies. As a result, this will in turn help fishermen to develop the socioeconomic situation of these targeted groups.