Climate stress, livelihood vulnerability and blue food systems: evidence from small-scale fisheries in coastal Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Climate variability is reshaping coastal livelihoods and raising concerns about the stability of marine-based food systems. Small-scale fisheries are particularly vulnerable due to their dependence on climate-sensitive resources and limited adaptive capacity. This study examines how climate stress influences livelihood vulnerability and the resilience of coastal blue food systems in coastal Maharashtra, India. The analysis combines secondary data from meteorological and fisheries sources with primary insights from fishing households. A livelihood vulnerability framework grounded in the sustainable livelihoods approach is applied and principal component analysis is used to construct composite indices of sensitivity and adaptive capacity across coastal districts. The results show that while sensitivity to climate stress is broadly similar across districts, adaptive capacity varies substantially due to differences in human capital, infrastructure and financial resources. Districts with lower asset bases exhibit higher livelihood vulnerability despite facing comparable climatic pressures. Primary survey responses support these findings highlighting declining fish availability, rising operational uncertainty and growing income instability among fishing households. These patterns indicate that climate stress affects not only livelihoods but also the functioning of local blue food systems by influencing production stability and household coping strategies. The study underscores the importance of strengthening adaptive capacity through investments in education, fisheries infrastructure, and access to financial and institutional support. By linking livelihood vulnerability with food system resilience, this paper provides empirical evidence on how climate stress translates into uneven socioeconomic outcomes in coastal fisheries and offers insights for targeted adaptation policy.