CARIBBEAN REGIONAL FISHERIES CARIBBEAN REGIONAL FISHERIES MECHANISMMECHANISM

Addressing climate change issues in fisheries and aquaculture in CRFM Member States - recent initiatives

and opportunities for up-scaling

Caribbean and Pacific Agri-food Forum Link – Learn – Transform 03 – 04 November 2015

Barbados

WS7 - Building partnerships and alliances to scale up climate-smart and adaptation solutions in the Caribbean

CARICOM Fisheries & Aquaculture - CARICOM Fisheries & Aquaculture - Situation ReviewSituation Review

1. Direct Employment: ~ 341,0002. 2014 marine fish production - 136,661 mt,

valued at US$370.5 Mn3. 2014 aquaculture production – 8,566 mt,

valued at US$49.8 Mn4. Foreign Trade (>US$269 million in 2014)5. Livelihood opportunities for socio-

economically disadvantaged6. Food security

a. Fish – known source of high-quality protein, minerals and trace elements, fat-soluble vitamins, essential fatty acids

b. Eating fish - part of the cultural traditions of Caribbean people (per capita intake averages 27kg/pers/pa) .

c. Artisanal, small-scale fisheries employ and provide a ready source of protein for much of the rural poor in the coastal CARICOM Caribbean.

Key Issues and ChallengesKey Issues and Challenges

Policies, Strategies and Action Plans for Policies, Strategies and Action Plans for addressing CCA and DRM in Fisheries & addressing CCA and DRM in Fisheries &

AquacultureAquacultureCaribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (2011; 2014)Art 4 (4.3) Objectives Integrate environmental, coastal and marine management considerations into fisheries policy so as to safeguard fisheries and associated ecosystems from anthropogenic threats and to mitigate the impacts of climate change and natural disasters Art. 17 Public AwarenessEstablish research and education programmes to raise awareness of the impact of global warming, climate change, sea level rise and other environmental changes on the fisheries sector.

Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture – Strategy and Action Plan (2012)

Improving the Outlook for Caribbean Coral Reefs – A Regional Plan of Action (2014 to 2019)

Impacts of Climate Change on Fisheries & Impacts of Climate Change on Fisheries & AquacultureAquaculture

Ocean Currents

ENSO

Sea Level Rise

Rainfall

River flows

Lake levels

Thermal

structure

Storm severity

Storm frequency

Acidification

Production ecology

Fishing & Aquaculture operations

Community Livelihoods

Wider society & economy

Species compositionProduction & yieldDistributionDiseasesCoral bleachingCalcificationInvasive alien species

Safety & efficiencyInfrastructure

Adaptation & mitigation costsMarket impactsWater allocation

Loss & damage to assetsRisk to health & lifeDisplacement & conflict

Situation exacerbated by:OverfishingPollutionHabitat destruction –Broader governance under CLME+ ProjectEAF Approach

Biophysical changes from GHG accumulation

Effects on: Impacts on:

Modified from Badjeck et al., 2010 – Impacts of climate variability and change on fishery-based livelihoods. Marine Policy 34: 375-383.

Regional ProjectsRegional Projects• Strategic Programme for Climate Resilience (SPCR - IDB)

• Climate Change Adaptation in the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Sector (CC4FISH - GEF)

• Supporting Institutional Structures to promote Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Caribbean Region (GIZ-REETA -1)

• Climate Risk Insurance for the Caribbean Fisheries Sector (CFRIF - WB)

• Evaluation of the technology options for bioenergy from Sargassum seaweed in a framework of environmental resource management (GIZ-REETA Sargassum Project)

• Assessing the Potential for Turning Nuisance Sargassum Seaweed into Renewable Energy Products that Stimulate Green Industries on Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean (FSG- Sargassum Project)

Regional & International PartnershipsRegional & International Partnerships

Best Practices & Up-Best Practices & Up-ScalingScaling

• Early Warning and Emergency Response System for Fishers (SPCR & CC4FISH) High risk of fishers – injury, loss of life and property; impacts on livelihoods and contribution to

national food security – focused on increasing resilience to, and mitigating the impacts of, climate change and variability

mFisheries Tool developed by the Caribbean ICT Research Centre (UWI, St Augustine) and piloted in Tobago – GPS & at-sea tracking; SOS; Navigation tool (compass); First Aid videos – to be expanded and scaled up under SPCR and CC4FISH;

Photo courtesy Hilroy Simon, Antigua

KEY COMPONENTS• Real time and forecasted information on weather

and seas conditions;• Sharing of information on best practices in safety-

at-sea and DRM in fisheries;• Electronic capture of LEK;SUCCESS DEPENDS ON:• Available & affordable communications

technology, equipment and services;• Sustained system management and usage• Efficient networking of national agencies with key

roles;• Up-scaling from pilot local community to national

level

Best Practices & Up-Best Practices & Up-ScalingScaling

• Caribbean Fisheries Risk Insurance Fund (WB- US State Department, FAO) considered global review of insurance schemes for small-scale fisheries in India, China, Africa,

Chile among other countries – interest of international companies – demand for insurance – benefits of fisher organization;

focused on incentivizing the uptake of climate smart and food security best practices in the fisheries sector – simultaneously increasing resilience to, and mitigating the impacts of, climate change and variability

Photo courtesy Hilroy Simon, Antigua

ESTABLISHMENT OF CARIBBEAN FISHERIES RISK INSURANCE FUND Identified fisheries assets that could be insured; Valued assets; Identified climate-smart & food security investments/best

practices; Completed insurance demand survey; Proposed mechanisms for:

• establishment and management of Fund (CCRIF or others); • engagement of private/public sector insurance companies;• criteria for accessing Fund (joint assessment of natural

disaster and impacts on fisheries);• modification of existing marine policies – affordability, no-

claim bonuses; group insurance; periodicity of premium payments;

• mandatory insurance coverage for vessel registration and licensing – changes in legislation

Thanks for your attentionThanks for your attention