Climate-related risk management practices in pond-based tilapia culture: A case study of the small-scale fish farmers of Agusan del Sur, Philippines

¹ College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University – Lianga Campus, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, Philippines
² Center of Research for Aquamarine Life Sustainability (CoRALS), North Eastern Mindanao State University– Lianga Campus, Lianga, Surigao del Sur

^* Corresponding author: jaynoscortes@nemsu.edu.ph

Abstract

Climate change vulnerability of the fisheries sector of the Philippines risks the nation’s economy. Adapting to these impacts requires effective use of shared climate information in aquaculture. This study assessed the climate-related risk management practices among tilapia pond farmers in Agusan del Sur, Philippines. Quantitative method and purposive sampling were employed, interviewing thirty knowledgeable participants. Common damages encountered during floods included fish escape (56.6%), while slow growth prevailed during droughts, cold weather (20% and 16.6% respectively), and hot weather (46.6%). Most of the respondents applied constant monitoring or surveillance as their primary risk management practices to cope with floods, droughts, cold weather, and hot weather. Other risk management practices include changes in tillage practices, changes in the stocking date, harvest ahead of schedule, efficient water use, irrigation, and stopping rearing. The Chi-square analysis showed that there is a highly significant relationship (p<0.05) between climate-related risk and risk management practices, while there is no significant relationship between the socio-demographic profile and applied risk management practices. These findings provide insights into climate-related risk management, emphasizing the significance of monitoring and targeted interventions. The findings help to build better risk management approaches for farmers dealing with the effects of climate change.^*