Fishing boats slowly return to the busy dock in northern Mumbai, their fresh catch a source of uncertainty for members of Mumbai’s Koli community. The community, deeply rooted in generations of fishing traditions, faces the challenges of an increasingly unfamiliar Arabian Sea affected by warming temperatures and more frequent extreme cyclones.
Prema Baliram Koli, 50, observes with dismay the diminished catch of 14 crates deposited at her feet, lamenting the changing dynamics of fishing. The unpredictable weather reduces viable fishing days, leading to declining income and increased expenses for boat maintenance. Kashinath Budiya Koli, a 62-year-old fisherman, echoes the sentiment, noting a drastic decline in fish stocks, stating, “There are fewer fish in the sea,” and revealing that they now catch less than 10% of their previous haul.
The Arabian Sea, part of the Indian Ocean, has experienced a rapid spike in surface temperatures since the 1950s, warming at 0.11°C per decade, as reported by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Medha Deshpande, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, explains that these warming patterns contribute to more frequent and intense cyclones, disrupting coastal ecosystems and impacting the livelihoods of those dependent on the western Indian coast.
A recent report co-authored by Deshpande highlights a 52% increase in the number of cyclones hitting the Arabian Sea from 2001 to 2019. These cyclones last 80% longer, and intense storm systems have tripled, resulting in heavier rainfall and adverse effects on the fishing communities.
Fishermen like Rajeshwari Koli and her husband, Dinesh Koli, experienced the devastating impact of Cyclone Tauktae in May 2021, leading to the destruction of their boats. The cyclone caused widespread damage to coastal fishermen, with Mumbai’s Madh island fishing villages alone sustaining damage to 120 boats. The trauma lingers, with Rajeshwari Koli expressing fear and anxiety every time a cyclone approaches.
Compensation for the losses incurred has been slow, leaving many fishermen struggling. Jitendra Koli, one of the few compensated, acknowledges the challenges, emphasizing the ongoing difficulties despite government assistance.
The changing climate has forced fishermen to invest in stronger and well-maintained boats, venture farther from their traditional fishing grounds, and adapt to evolving weather conditions. The Koli community advocates for breakwaters to protect docked boats from increasingly intense storms, but some are considering alternative employment opportunities due to the shrinking number of fishing days.
Construction projects, such as Mumbai’s coastal road, further exacerbate the challenges for fishing communities, squeezing them out of traditional lands and disrupting their livelihoods. Sanjay Baikar, a fisherman near Mumbai’s Worli neighborhood, expresses frustration over losing traditional land and inadequate support from authorities.
As Mumbai’s fishing communities grapple with climate-related challenges and urban development, their future remains uncertain, with some facing the difficult choice of abandoning fishing for alternative livelihoods.