Adapting fisheries and aquaculture to climate change
More frequent and more extreme weather events, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels are just some of the consequences of climate change. All have knock-on effects on fisheries and aquaculture and the communities who depend on them for food and livelihoods. Rising sea levels are leading to coastal erosion and the loss of critical habitats for aquatic resources. Climate change is also affecting fish distribution and abundance. To address these challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working to enhance the resilience of fisheries and aquaculture. In countries like Belize, Chile, and the Philippines, FAO initiatives have empowered fishers through trainings on safety at sea, strategies to cope with extreme weather, and by exploring other livelihoods in case climate events mean a current living is no longer viable. FAO also collaborates with governments to formulate and implement effective policies to ensure resilience.