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Community-level socio-ecological vulnerability assessments in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Year of publication 2015

Pages 127 p.

Author Raemaekers, S.;Sowman, M.;Fishery and Aquaculture Economics and Policy Division

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-108908-8

Series title FAO Fisheries Circular

Series number 0429-9329|2070-6065|0429-9337

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Climate change is considered one of the most critical challenges facing the planet and humankind. It poses a key threat to marine ecosystems and fisheries resources as well as communities that depend on these systems for food and livelihoods. Understanding the vulnerability of these socio-ecological systems to climate change, and their capacity to adapt, has become the focus of several climate change and fisheries projects and programmes in recent years and, increasingly, researchers and practit ioners recognise that actions supporting adaptive capacity building have to be grounded in local needs and experiences and thus vulnerability assessments should be participatory and inclusive. A good understanding of local vulnerabilities, including local perceptions of the multiple drivers of change, historic and customary adaptation strategies, and existing capacity within local institutions and amongst individuals, should be used as building blocks for strengthening resilience and identifying appropriate adaptation strategies. Participatory vulnerability assessment is an approach that facilitates better understanding of the extent to which a socio-ecological system (e.g. coastal fishery system) is susceptible to various socio-ecological changes (including the effects of climate change) and the system’s capacity to cope with and adapt to these changes from the viewpoint of the local communities. This analysis will help countries, partner agencies and their staff, researchers and fish eries professionals in understanding how to define and measure vulnerability within complex fisheries systems, using perceptions-based approaches within fishing communities in the Benguela Current region (Angola, Namibia, South Africa) as an example. Ultimately, the scope of this work is to improve resilience of fisheries systems and dependent communities to multiple drivers of change including climate change and ocean acidification.

Language English

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