Climate shapes food environments: traditional seafood and nutrition in small-scale fisheries in Mexico

Climate-related impacts on the ocean pose a growing threat to the livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage of coastal communities, especially for small-scale fishers in the Global South. This study characterized how climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems shape local food environments and community health. In partnership with two Mexican fishing communities, we employed an integrative qualitative approach to co-produce knowledge through a series of daily routine accompaniments, unstructured interviews, a photo-elicitation approach, and 54 open-ended filmed interviews. Fishers and community members identified how climate change impacts their socio-ecological systems and food security, including livelihoods, economic implications, adaptation barriers, global market forces, cultural identity, food sovereignty, and community strategies to maintain food security and health. Community members described how climate-driven ecological disruptions affect food accessibility and availability, influencing dietary practices, nutrition, and health, with concerns about less nutritious diets and cultural losses in traditional seafood practices. Adaptive strategies highlighted the critical role of sustainable practices and cooperative governance in mitigating socio-ecological impacts. These results illustrate complex physical, emotional, and cultural health implications of climate-induced changes in marine food systems. Our study highlights how lived experiences and local knowledge can provide critical insights into climate threats and adaptation opportunities, as well as the importance of enhancing food sovereignty and resilience in coastal communities to support health and well-being.