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Short abstract:

The study presents a case of collective adaptation among the local fishing communities amid climate and anthropogenic change in the Caspian Sea. It occurs through sharing knowledge and technology to redefine norms and values in fishing practices and regain their agency in the adaptation.

Long abstract:

The Caspian Sea faces profound changes from climate and anthropogenic influences, including receding water levels, eutrophication, and rising temperatures. This has further exacerbated the already challenging conditions faced by artisanal fishers. The historic and large-scale oil and gas extraction from the Caspian Sea has adversely affected the fish population and migration patterns, and the overarching alterations to the sea related to climate change have resulted in the arrival of invasive species and diminishing fish diversity, quality and abundance

In the midst of these transformations, artisanal fishers are encountering new ways to adapt and relate to the Caspian Sea, fostering collective practices in contrast to conflict-driven responses elsewhere. These include the pooling of resources to acquire low-cost technologies like GPS trackers and life vests, enabling navigation in deeper waters. WhatsApp groups and gatherings at Cayxanas (tea houses) facilitate the exchange of information on weather events, migration patterns, and recipes for preparing fish that was previously considered “poor mans’ food. Rooted in a fishermen’s code of conduct emphasizing territorial respect and equitable fish distribution, fishermen engage in these practices in an effort to sustain their families and preserve fishing culture.

This paper presents a compelling case of solidarity-driven adaptation, reshaping norms, values, and knowledge in fishing communities. In doing so, this paper contributes to understanding the evolving epistemic and sociotechnical dynamics that reshape relations with the sea.