Implications of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture: challenges for adaptation and mitigation in the Asia-Pacific region


RAP PUBLICATION 2011/17

Implications of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture: challenges for adaptation and mitigation in the Asia-Pacific region

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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Bangkok 2011


ABSTRACT

It is now widely recognized that the effects of climate change will impact the fisheries sector and result in increased uncertainty in the supply of fish from capture fisheries and aquaculture. The warming of the sea surface, rivers and lakes, changing precipitation, water salinity and ocean acidity and sea level rise will affect marine, coastal and inland environments. Food quality may also be threatened with increased risk of species invasions and the spreading of vector-borne diseases. Positive impacts like access to new species and markets may also arise as a result of climate change. This technical workshop was convened in Kathmandu, Nepal from 24 to 26 May 2011 to review mitigation and adaptation strategies for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Asia and the Pacific. The workshop brought together 50 participants from member countries and partner organizations to share available information and knowledge, and discuss and analyze the specific potential impacts of different types of climate change patters on marine capture fisheries, inland capture fisheries, coastal aquaculture and inland aquaculture. Recommendations are included in the report covering, among others, advocacy for increased policy emphasis on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in the sector, strengthening of governance, and use of integrated management approaches and monitoring tools.



Table of Contents

Foreword
Abbreviations
Workshop summary recommendations
Background to the workshop
Participants
Opening and introduction to the workshop
Introduction to the workshop and its objectives
An introduction to climate change and
    likely impacts on the APFIC region
The impact of climate change on fisheries and
    aquaculture production systems
Implications of climate change on aquaculture
    – vulnerabilities adaptation and
    mitigation: an Asia-Pacific regional perspective
FAO road map – climate change and its implications
    for fisheries and food security
Climate change funding in support of implementation of
    climate change adaptation planning in
    fisheries and aquaculture
Country presentations – observations and recommendations
    for policies and actions to mitigate and adapt to
    climate change in fisheries and aquaculture
Regional organizations’ recommendations
    for adapting to climate change
Working groups – climate change drivers,
    threats and implications
Working groups – gaps/constraints/issues in climate change
    adaptation/mitigation – aquaculture
Working groups – opportunities and options for
    adaptation/mitigation – aquaculture
Gaps/constraints/issues in climate change
    adaptation/mitigation – marine fisheries
Gaps/constraints/issues in climate change
    adaptation/mitigation – inland fisheries
Opportunities for climate change
    adaptation/mitigation – inland fisheries
Climate change: implications and adaptation measures
    in the Philippines fisheries and aquaculture sector
Current and projected climate impacts on
    US marine ecosystems and fisheries and
    the approaches to understanding and responding to them
Can coastal communities turn mangroves to money?
Streamlining climate change in all aspects of
    programme planning and implementation
Annex 1: Agenda of the regional workshop
Annex 2: List of participants




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The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.

ISBN 978-92-5-106981-3


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For copies write to:Simon Funge-Smith
Senior Fishery Officer
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Atit Road
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: (+66) 2 697 4000
Fax: (+66) 2 697 4445
E-mail: [email protected]

© FAO 2011