Last year, I blogged about my sobering week at the excellent Fisheries Climate Awareness Workshop (CLAW), which was designed to enhance knowledge and awareness of SPC member countries and territories on climate issues and projected impacts on the industrial fisheries of the western and central Pacific.
The work by SPC is continuous in this area, as aquatic ecosystems in the Pacific Islands region are crucial for food security, livelihoods, and economic development. They face various pressures, including environmental degradation from urbanisation and agriculture, which threaten freshwater and coastal ecosystems.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate existing pressures, affecting marine resources and productivity that communities rely on for food, income and livelihoods. Climate change threats, such as rising ocean temperature and acidification, profoundly affect marine ecosystems and fisheries.
This document, the 2025 assessment, includes coastal, oceanic, and freshwater fisheries; consideration of supporting habitats; and aquaculture, with implications for livelihoods, economies, and blue foods.
The update also includes summaries of the assessment findings for each of the 22 PICTs, along with targeted adaptations for each, highlighting challenges posed by population growth, urbanisation, and environmental degradation.
It's a significant document, but a fundamental read in the general sense, and it also has specific assessments for each PIC. And on top of that, it publishes 7 of my photographs… which is always very honouring.
The generalities of Chapter 1 are below, yet I, as usual, recommend reading the original.
Challenges in Fisheries Management
The Pacific Islands face significant challenges in managing fisheries due to illegal fishing practices and inadequate regulations.
Most catch from coastal and freshwater fisheries is unreported, complicating management efforts.
Standard destructive fishing methods include spearguns with torches and small-mesh gill nets.
Illegal fishing persists despite efforts to strengthen monitoring and control systems (MCS).
Overharvesting has led to declines in coastal fish stocks, particularly high-value species such as sea cucumbers.
Limited data and resources hinder effective management of coastal fisheries.
Population Growth and Urbanisation Impacts
Rapid population growth and urbanisation in the Pacific Islands are driving environmental challenges and resource degradation.
The region's population grew from 9.9 million in 2010 to 13.2 million in 2024, a 33% increase.
Urbanisation is projected to rise from 24% in 2020 to 32% by 2050.
High population density in coastal areas increases pressure on marine resources.
Environmental challenges include soil loss, habitat degradation, and pollution from urban lifestyles.
Governments struggle to balance food, water, and housing needs with ecosystem sustainability.
Climate Change Effects on Marine Resources
Climate change is significantly impacting marine biological resources in the Pacific Islands, affecting fisheries and aquaculture.
The tropical Pacific marine climate has warmed by approximately 1°C since pre-industrial times.
Changes include increased sea surface temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels.
Climate change threatens the productivity of fisheries and aquaculture, impacting food security and livelihoods.
The Pacific Ocean absorbs 10% of global carbon emissions and plays a crucial role in regulating the climate.
Demographic Changes Since 2011
Demographic shifts in the Pacific Islands have intensified social and economic changes, affecting traditional resource management.
The population has increased by 33% since 2010, with Melanesia experiencing the highest growth.
Urban migration disrupts traditional governance and social networks, weakening local resource management.
Subsistence economies are transitioning to monetised systems, increasing reliance on market-based food sources.
Traditional diets are being replaced by processed foods, leading to health issues like obesity and non-communicable diseases.
Growing Demand for Sustainable Seafood
The demand for blue foods is rising due to population growth and urbanisation, necessitating sustainable management of marine resources.
Coastal communities depend heavily on marine resources for subsistence, and reduced local catches can impact nutrition.
Increased demand for blue foods is putting pressure on vulnerable marine resources, particularly high-value exports such as sea cucumbers.
Policies are needed to improve coastal resource management and support local communities' access to nutritious foods.
Trade Dynamics in Fisheries
Global trade and demand for fisheries products are influencing market prices and the economic landscape of Pacific Island fisheries.
Export values from FFA member countries increased by 45% from 2015 to 2021, reaching USD 915 million.
Fresh exports, such as deepwater snapper, declined significantly due to supply chain disruptions during the pandemic.
Processed products, particularly canned tuna, saw substantial growth, quadrupling in exports.
Strategic Plans for Fisheries and Aquaculture
Efforts are underway to secure sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Pacific Islands through strategic planning and collaboration.
The 2015 Regional Roadmap for Sustainable Pacific Fisheries outlines goals and strategies for tuna and coastal fisheries.
The "New Song for Coastal Fisheries" initiative aims to improve community well-being and ecosystem health.
A regional aquaculture assessment in 2022 identified key challenges and opportunities for sustainable aquaculture development.
Advances in Climate Change Modelling
Recent advancements in climate and ecosystem modelling are enhancing the understanding of fisheries vulnerability to climate change.
New data sources and technological innovations have improved the accuracy of ecosystem and fisheries models.
The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report provides updated climate projections with higher confidence and reduced uncertainty.
Vulnerability assessments help identify climate change impacts on fisheries and inform adaptive management strategies.
Assessing Vulnerability to Climate Change
Vulnerability assessments are crucial for understanding the impacts of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture in the Pacific Islands.
Vulnerability is defined as the degree to which systems are able to cope with the effects of climate change.
Assessments aim to inform decision-makers on how to strengthen adaptive capacity and reduce risks.
The framework integrates exposure to climate hazards, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to evaluate overall vulnerability.
Regional Context and Climate Change Projections
This section establishes the foundational climate change projections and regional context for vulnerability assessments in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).
Provides essential climate change projections relevant to the 22 PICTs.
Sets the stage for vulnerability assessments that follow in the publication.
Highlights the importance of understanding regional climate impacts for effective adaptation strategies.
Summary of Results for PICTs
This section summarises the findings for each of the 22 PICTs, aiding in national-level adaptations and policy formulation.
Presents a comprehensive summary of results for all 22 PICTs.
Aims to inform national-level adaptations and policy decisions.
Results are crucial for understanding local vulnerabilities and adaptation needs.
Implications of Climate Change on Marine Habitats
This section discusses the effects of climate change on coastal, oceanic, and freshwater habitats, including fisheries and aquaculture.
Examines the impact of climate change on coastal and freshwater ecosystems.
Discusses implications for fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Highlights the importance of these habitats for local food security and economies.
Cascade of Effects on Blue Foods
This section assesses the broader implications of climate change on the benefits provided by blue foods, including food security and livelihoods.
Evaluates the cascading effects of climate change on blue foods.
Emphasises the role of blue foods in food and nutrition security.
Discusses the economic implications for local communities and government revenues.
Importance of Local Context in Adaptation Strategies
This section emphasises the need for context-specific adaptation strategies due to varying political and social systems across PICTs.
Recognises the diversity of tenure and political systems in PICTs.
Stresses the importance of local environmental, social, and cultural contexts in adaptation planning.
Highlights the value of traditional knowledge in enhancing adaptive capacity.
Recommendations for Policy and Legislation
This section outlines the necessary policies and legislation to support the implementation of adaptation strategies in fisheries sectors.
Recommends tailored policies for each of the 22 PICTs to support adaptations.
Emphasises the need for legislation to facilitate effective implementation.
Aims to maintain the role of fisheries and aquaculture in local economies.
Building Resilience in Pacific Communities
This section discusses strategies for enhancing the resilience of Pacific communities through sustainable resource management.
Advocates for a range of adaptations to reduce dependence on specific marine resources.
Suggests diversifying food and livelihood sources to enhance resilience.
Highlights the importance of maintaining government revenue from tuna fisheries.
Addressing Climate Change Uncertainty
This section introduces the concept of uncertainty in climate change assessments and how it is communicated in the publication.
Defines uncertainty as a state of incomplete knowledge in climate assessments.
Discusses various sources of uncertainty, including data gaps and human behaviour.
Outlines the approach for communicating uncertainty using confidence and likelihood metrics.
Confidence and Likelihood in Findings
This section explains how confidence and likelihood are assessed and communicated in the context of climate change findings.
Confidence is evaluated based on the quality and consistency of evidence.
Likelihood is expressed probabilistically, indicating the chance of specific outcomes.
Provides a framework for interpreting findings with varying levels of confidence and likelihood.
While climate change needs to be addressed through concerted international efforts, local and regional measures can minimise the scale of impacts on marine ecosystems and support adaptation while global socio-climate systems respond. Addressing the implications of climate change for Pacific Island peoples requires adequate resourcing for national governments and communities, along with financial commitments for effective, coordinated implementation.
Inadequate resourcing has been a persistent issue, hindering PICTs' capacity to implement climate change adaptation measures to support resilient aquatic ecosystems and communities. In many cases, this will require the development and implementation of basic but robust management systems, significant education and awareness-raising, and enforcement at all levels – from government through to communities.
Ultimately, actions that support the sustainability of marine ecosystems and their productivity will contribute to the functioning of the Pacific Ocean within the global climate system and benefit all people.