Climate Change Perceptions and Adaptive Strategies Among Fishing Communities in Akwa Ibom State

Fishing communities in Akwa Ibom State occupy a climatically sensitive position on Nigeria's South South coastline, where sea level rise, increased storm frequency, and shifting fish stock distributions are progressively altering the conditions under which artisanal fishers operate their livelihoods. This study investigates the perceptions of climate change impacts and the adaptive strategies employed by artisanal fishing communities in Oron, Ibeno, and Esit Eket local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. Structured interviews were conducted with 360 active fishers and 60 fish traders, complemented by focus group discussions with community elders and fishermen's cooperative officers. Respondents' perceptions of change in sea surface conditions, storm intensity, flooding frequency, and fish catch volumes were systematically recorded and triangulated against meteorological and oceanographic records from the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research. Adaptive strategies reported by fishing households were categorised into autonomous technical adaptations (gear modification, timing changes), diversification strategies (farming, petty trading), and social network strategies (credit from cooperatives, seasonal migration). Results confirm widespread community awareness of climate-driven changes in fishing conditions, with 84 percent of respondents reporting reduced catch volumes in recent years compared to a decade prior. Maladaptive responses including use of illegal fine-mesh nets are also documented and linked to desperation resulting from resource depletion. The study recommends participatory climate adaptation planning that integrates fishers' local knowledge and addresses both immediate livelihood security and long-term ecosystem sustainability. Keywords: climate change, artisanal fishing, Akwa Ibom State, adaptation, South South Nigeria.