14 December 2012: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has reported on the outcomes of a workshop on priority adaptation measures to climate change for fisheries and aquaculture in Fiji, including the identification of inshore fish aggregating devices (FADs) as a key “win-win” adaptation to meet increased demand for fish in areas with degraded coral reefs.

The workshop, which took place in Suava, Fiji, from 12-14 December 2012, was jointly organized by the SPC’s Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division, the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Fiji, the Australian Government Overseas Aid Program (AusAID), the German International Cooperation (GIZ) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Focused on reducing risks and capitalizing on opportunities from climate change in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, the event brought together over 60 stakeholders from the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Fiji. Participants considered, among other things, the projected effects of changes to the ocean on the distribution of skipjack tuna and other fish habitats and stocks. Presentations and working groups discussed the projected impacts of climate change on economic development, food security and livelihoods. The workshop also explored adaptation approaches that would address current factors affecting fisheries and aquaculture resources and be resilient to, or even improved by, climate change. [SPC Press Release]