Psychological impacts of aquatic ecosystem degradation on mental health and social dynamics of coastal communities and fisheries

Abstract

Coastal societies obtain various ecological, economic, and cultural services from aquatic ecosystems. However, increasing pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change driven alterations are not only threatening ecosystems and aggravating the psychological stress of those who rely on them, but also targeting the psychological resilience of the people who depend on them. There's growing evidence indicating environmental degradation activates stressors, anxiety, and a decrease in social cohesion, yet the opposite seems to be the case within the fishery’s dependent regions. This type of integrated research considers the impact of the degradation of aquatic ecosystems on the mental health of coastal communities. It analyzes how these ecosystems affect social cohesion/ disintegration, as well as the sustainability of livelihoods dependent on fisheries. The research was conducted as a mixed-methods study. The mental health level of the community was assessed using various questionnaires, and water quality, biodiversity level, and various fishery parameters were assessed during in-depth interviews with fishers and community members, as well as during the environmental assessment. The quantitative data were analyzed using advanced statistical methods, while the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Based on the results, those individuals who experienced ecological grief and anxiety, and stress in fish stocks and water quality were aggravated. Environmental degradation and psychological distress were seen as major indicators of these ecosystems. The results further highlight the importance of the socio-ecological system, underscoring the need to couple community mental health with environmental restoration. In order to reduce the long-term impacts, it is necessary to have sustainable fisheries management, social safety nets, and the implementation of strategies to build resilience.