Effectiveness of Traditional Adaptation Practices to Climate Change-Induced Sea Level Rise Along the Atlantic Shoreline of Toube, Littoral Region of Cameroon

Long term shoreline changes caused by climate change-induced sea level rise has detrimental impact on livelihoods of the fishing community of Toube through settlement submergence, destruction of fishing barns, displacement of people, disruption of coastal activities and biodiversity loss. While the community members have put up various traditional adaptation practices to cope with such devastating impacts, climate change has rendered these practices ineffective. Despite this, no scientific evidence currently exists to link sea level rise and traditional adaptation practices of the fisherfolks. This study assesses the specific traditional adaptation practices to sea level rise implemented by the fisherfolks and suggest a novel conceptual framework drawn on traditional knowledge and practices. Using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, primary data on traditional community adaptation practices were collected through participant observation, on-the-spot appraisals, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaire survey with fishermen, community leaders and local experts. These were complemented with secondary source information on environmental (climate change and sea level rise) data from institutional sources. GIS and thematic data analysis were ensured. The results revealed that the current traditional adaptation practices implemented by the community to cope with sea level rise adverse effects on their livelihood include retreat, diversification of livelihood activities, temporal migration and settlement modification. A critical examination of these adaptation practices reveals that they are highly ineffective as sea level rise continues to jeopardise the livelihood of this fishing-dependent community. Based on these, the paper advances a conceptual framework on indigenous adaptation to sea level rise which draws from traditional knowledge and practices capturing dimensions of community-based monitoring and reporting system, engagement by community members in opportunities presented by sea level rise and the adoption of public-private partnership to resolve challenges which cannot be solved at the community level.