Such effects will be felt throughout the world’s marine and freshwater systems, however developing countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change on fisheries. Edward Allison, a leading researcher on climate change impacts on fisheries, observes that “from a strictly environmental perspective, countries in the higher latitudes will see the most pronounced impact from climate change on fishing. But economically, people in the tropics and subtropics will likely suffer most, because fish are so important in their diets and because they have limited capacity to develop other sources of income and food”. A study lead by Allison identified 33 countries that were particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on fisheries, 21 of which were in Africa.

Developing countries have for the most part recognised that there is a need to incorporate the issue of climate change into fisheries management plans. For example, the first Conference of African Ministers of Fisheries and Aquaculture, convened in the Gambia in 2010, urged all member states, regional economic communities (RECs) and regional fisheries bodies (RFBs) to mainstream climate change in fisheries policies, as well as fisheries development and management programmes.

However, there has been less emphasis on ensuring that fisheries are given due recognition in the broader policy debate on climate change adaptation and food security. In global fora such as the UNFCCC, developing countries have generally sought to highlight climate change adaptation, particularly the need for financial and technical support for adaptation efforts, as well as the threat that climate change poses to food security in developing regions.

Yet discussions on climate adaptation, particularly regarding the need to address the threat that climate change poses to food security, has largely focused on the concept of climate-smart agriculture and water security, without recognising the critical role that fisheries play as a source of nutrition and income in many developing countries.

The integration of fisheries into broader discussions on climate change adaptation should occur at various levels. Global and regional fora are of course important, but it is equally critical that national adaptation plans outline a strategy for dealing with climate change impacts on fisheries. The local level should also be emphasised, particularly as it is at this level where many communities are already developing strategies to deal with changes to fish density and diversity, coastal erosion and other climate-related impacts. Initiatives such as the UNFCCC Database on Local Coping Strategies can serve as valuable tools for knowledge-sharing at the local level.

It is important to recognise that climate change is not the only challenge facing fisheries in developing countries. Illegal fishing, habitat destruction and pollution have driven many fish stocks to a fraction of their historic levels, while governance efforts are hampered by a lack of technical and financial resources, corruption and competition between local and foreign vessels. Addressing these challenges should be viewed as an integral part of the developing regions’ response to climate change impacts on fisheries, as healthier, better governed fish stocks will be more resilient to climate-related impacts.

There has been significant progress in recent years in the establishment of various funding mechanisms to assist developing countries to adapt to climate change, such as the Adaptation Fund, the Global Climate Change Alliance and the Special Climate Change Fund. While there are interesting examples of climate change adaptation funds being employed in the fisheries sector, there is potential for far more to be achieved. Developing countries, RECs and RFBs should actively and strategically pursue funding opportunities to enhance governance and adaptation efforts in the fisheries sector, as well as learning from experiences in other developing regions.

Policy makers from developing regions should ensure that fisheries are highlighted in the broader debate on climate change adaptation and food security, especially as it is developing regions that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The message from the developing world should be clear: preserving the health and productivity of the world’s oceans and freshwater systems in the face of climate change impacts is a priority in supporting food security and sustaining livelihoods, and will require significant technical and financial cooperation and support.

Alex Benkenstein is a senior researcher for the Governance of Africa’s Resources Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs.