Eleventh International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Although there has been an increase in the acknowledgement and research of coupled social-ecological systems, there is still much to be explored to understand the effects of change from various drivers within our communities and ecosystems. These drivers include climate change, management regulations, societal shifts, and market trends. This research identifies the relationships and feedbacks that connect climate change to fisheries management and the fishing industry on the Oregon Coast. In order to inform community members and management of decision impacts, this research situates these relationships within the context of the “graying of the fleet” and, within the broader conversation of resilience and adaptive capacity of a community. Semi-structured interviews with members of the fishing industry were conducted and analyzed. Analysis reveals a shift in social networks, collective knowledges, and the intergenerational transfer of this knowledge. Additionally, results reveal the perception of a shrinking window of opportunity. This window is limited by resource inequality such as access to permits and cost of entry, as well as by external factors such as weather and competing interests. Flexibility to respond to change is dampened by timeliness and responsiveness on all levels. Regardless, fishermen maintain a high level of optimism and perception of ability to adapt. The connections identified through this research allows insight into ways that decisions create barriers or enhance flexibility and resilience to climate change, providing management and communities with the right tools to make the best possible decisions.