Climate Change Increases Risk of Drowning for Small-Scale Fishers on Lake Victoria
Local residents prepare to board a boat on a calm river, showcasing daily life and transportation in Southern Africa amid ongoing conservation debates.
Studies show that climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of thunderstorms in East Africa, thereby making Lake Victoria more dangerous for the small-scale fishers who rely on it for sustenance. Coupled with the fishers’ lack of life jackets, shortage of navigational equipment, and inadequate rescue services, it becomes evident why the effects of climate change lead to an increased risk of drowning for these fishers. Research on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria revealed that 1,500 fishers drown annually, with 1,000 of them linked to bad weather. The research found that fishers are having to go deeper into the lake to fish. Even worse, they do this at night when there is an increased likelihood of storms, leading to an increased risk of drowning. To combat the problem, the researchers suggest enforcing life jacket use, training in water safety, and implementing effective early warning systems.
SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION