An accelerated and more systematic approach to climate change adaptation planning is critical in achieving the development goals of the African Union’s Policy and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture (PFRS). An ‘foresight study’ analysis of planning for climate change mitigation and adaptation for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors by African Union (AU) member states was thus undertaken in order to make recommendations for the African Union and its member states (Sauer et al, 2023). A literature survey revealed that the existing and projected climate change impacts on African aquatic ecosystems are profound, with severe social and economic consequences becoming increasingly evident. African Union member states have all submitted United Nations Climate Change Framework Convention (UNCCFC) national level communications and adaptation plans, however, the fisheries and aquaculture sector provisions are generally limited to simple statements of intent, with most lacking implementation strategies. The general absence of national fisheries and aquaculture sector climate change adaptation plans is concerning, as it increases the social and economic vulnerability of member states to climate change. This deficiency highlights a general lack of capacity and resources within national fisheries management institutions, as well as the lack of an integrated value chain and blue economy approach to fisheries and aquaculture development planning. Climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions cannot be decoupled from the basic requirements for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management, and should thus be approached in an integrated manner at regional and national level. Despite the projected negative impacts of climate change on African fisheries and aquaculture production, there are opportunities to increase continental fisheries production through 1) aquaculture development, 2) reducing the massive African post-harvest losses and 3) improving the sustainability and production of existing fisheries through better management. This will require an integrated institutional planning and implementation approach, with international, continental, and regional organisations such as the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) working in concert with African Union member states.
Reference: Sauer WS, Eggers J, and Britz PJ. 2023. Building Resilient African Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chains to Mitigate the Threats of Climate Change. Foresight study report to the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for African Development FishGov2 Programme prepared by Rhodes University Centre of Excellence in Fisheries and Aquaculture.