Large projected reductions in marine fish biomass for Kenya and Tanzania in the absence of climate mitigation

Wilson, Robert J.; Sailley, Sévrine F.; Jacobs, Zoe; Kamau, Joseph; Mgeleka, Said S.; Okemwa, Gladys M.; Omukoto, Johnstone O.; Osuka, Kennedy; Samoilys, Melita; Sauer, W. H. H.; Silas, Mathew Ogalo; Sululu, Joseph S.; Roberts, Michael J.

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105921

Cited by 12 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…There have been very few empirical efforts in the WIO to link population biomass and distribution models to climate models and to project the effect of climate change on marine fisheries species. [23] undertook projections for the tuna Katsuwonus pelamis, while [47] undertook multi-species projections for Kenya and Tanzania; these approaches were not possible for Mozambique because of the lack of resources and the large number of highly diverse species from numerous habitats. When faced with similar issues, other workers have used rapid sensitivity and/or vulnerability assessments, such as in south-east Australia [31], northeast America [33], south-western South Africa [37], Portugal [29], and the central Pacific islands [36].…”

Section: Plos Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is widespread concurrence that climate change is occurring and at an increasing rate, and one of the most widespread manifestations of this in marine systems is increased SST [64]. While studies in the region on impacts to fauna are limited, there have been reported changes in species distributions [65] and predicted declines in abundance of several species, particularly in equatorward distributions [47]. The results of our relative vulnerability assessment of a suite of species important to fisheries in Mozambique identifies those which are likely to be particularly affected in this country.…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A rapid approach to assessing the vulnerability of Mozambican fisheries’ species to climate change

Fennessy,

Quick,

Mutombene

et al. 2024

PLOS Clim

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Mozambique is amongst the most vulnerable of Western Indian Ocean (WIO] countries to the impacts of climate change on its marine fisheries. We used rapid assessment methods to evaluate sensitivity, exposure and vulnerability of fisheries species to climate change, appropriate for data-deficient, developing countries in the region. Species were selected based on their importance in industrial and artisanal fisheries’ landings, further prioritized by local experts. Species’ attributes likely to be sensitive to climate change were identified and scored, utilizing life history or biological characteristics. Sea Surface Temperature (SST] was the most prominent climate exposure factor and for which we could confidently predict likely future change. Most species had low or medium overall sensitivity to climate change, with only eight considered highly sensitive. Climate exposure (SST] scores were high off northern Mozambique, while the central and southern regions were generally of medium exposure. Ten species received a High vulnerability score, 14 were Medium, and 16 had a Low vulnerability score. The highly vulnerable species were all fishes, apart from one crustacean; 4 of the 9 were strongly estuarine-associated; the most vulnerable species was the parrotfish Scarus ghobban. This is the first attempt to use a rapid, semi-quantitative, specialist- and trait-based vulnerability assessment of the anticipated effect of climate change on marine fisheries species in the WIO. Challenges experienced were data paucity, limited resources, the large study area, and the complex oceanography of the region. However, a simple methodology was developed, derived from efforts elsewhere, and which can be used to undertake similar assessments for other WIO countries. Raised awareness of climate change among small-scale fishing communities is a necessity, combined with adaptation by promoting fisheries co-management. Also required is support from government to ensure that people can be flexible to change.

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Section: Plos Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A rapid approach to assessing the vulnerability of Mozambican fisheries’ species to climate change

Fennessy,

Quick,

Mutombene

et al. 2024

PLOS Clim

Self Cite

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“…West Africa's fishery sectors are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The complex links between the biogeochemical properties of West African waters, fish productivity, and distribution is poorly understood, and this complexity is compounded by the impact of climate change (Belhabib et al, 2016;Wilson et al, 2021). Extreme weather conditions linked to climate change are becoming more frequent and difficult to predict resulting in negative impacts on fisheries, fishers' livelihoods, and their associated communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alleviating impacts of climate change on fishing communities using weather information to improve fishers’ resilience

Okeke‐Ogbuafor

Taylor

Dougill

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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This study contributes new knowledge in evaluating actions aimed at alleviating impacts of climate change on small-scale fishers and enhancing resilience in their households in West Africa. Evidence of the damage caused by climate change to the artisanal fisheries sector in West African countries is accumulating. Current measures in place for artisanal fishers to adapt to these changes include broad long-term pro-poor strategies designed to manage the persistent problem of overfishing and declining fish stocks. However, one immediate coping strategy is beginning to emerge, the more active use of reliable weather information. Based on 80 semi-structured interviews conducted in Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria between 2021 and 2022, this study investigates claims that the use of weather information (WI) is helping West African artisanal fishers and those involved in secondary fishery activities to build more climate-resilient household income and food security. Unlike the long-term measures for mitigating the impact of climate change, results from the study show that by assessing the risk, their marine capture activities using weather information, fishers are immediately benefitting. Using the diffusion of the innovation theory to investigate the pattern of fishers’ adoption and usage of weather information, we found that Senegalese marine artisanal fishers can be classified as “Early Adopters” of this innovation. However, this is not the case with inland fishers who remain skeptical and will only use weather information if they can ascertain its reliability. West Africa’s inland fisheries sector is often neglected in climate change strategies: there is a lack of coordinated action to understand the weather information needs of these vulnerable fishers in order to coassess and codevelop bespoke weather products that offer benefits to them. However, West Africa’s fisheries, especially those inland, are too important to ignore if the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), including no poverty and zero hunger, are to be achieved. To help this sector fully benefit from the use of weather information, this study recommends detailed research into the weather information needs of these fishers and user-friendly ways to engage with the fishers to transmit the information.

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Coastal Fisheries

Borges¹,

Veitayaki²,

Moreno-Báez³

et al. 2022

Blue Economy

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Large projected reductions in marine fish biomass for Kenya and Tanzania in the absence of climate mitigation

Cited by 12 publications

References 45 publications

A rapid approach to assessing the vulnerability of Mozambican fisheries’ species to climate change

A rapid approach to assessing the vulnerability of Mozambican fisheries’ species to climate change

Alleviating impacts of climate change on fishing communities using weather information to improve fishers’ resilience

Coastal Fisheries

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