January 1, 2024 | Marine Policy | Source |
Introduction: As climate change impacts intensify, there is growing recognition of the need to align fisheries management with climate goals. In the Global North, climate-smart fisheries (CSF) policies focus on reducing CO2 emissions from small-scale fisheries (SSF). However, in the Global South, including countries like Sierra Leone, these policies prioritize food and income security. The UK-Sierra joint research team explores this contrast, examining how Sierra Leone's coastal fishers focus on adapting to climate change to secure their livelihoods rather than reducing emissions, as well as how aligning fisheries management with climate goals supports food security and sustainability.
Key findings: The fieldwork outcomes argue that improving food security may indirectly reduce CO2 emissions by preventing overfishing and supporting alternative livelihoods like aquaculture. Moreover, providing fishers with accurate weather information can protect them from climate risks while helping reduce fuel use and emissions. Ultimately, the paper concludes that CSF strategies for SSFs in the Global South need not be polarized between emissions reduction and food security, as both objectives can be achieved together.
Figure | An Example of Climate-Smart Fisheries (CSF) Practices in Marine Aquaculture