Climate change and small-scale fisheries: A climate risk management perspective for the Caribbean

This factsheet highlights some of the economic, as well as non-economic, losses and damages associated with the effects of climate change and increasing extreme weather events on the oceans for the Caribbean region. It summarises findings from a global study which aims at developing a better understanding of the impacts of climate change on small-scale fisheries to identify suitable risk-management-solutions, and to show entry points for climate risk management (CRM) in order to enhance resilience.

This report indicates that the management of risk in Caribbean fisheries will require a multi-faceted approach, with interventions focusing on improving the resilience of ecosystems, while also addressing the adaptive capacity of fishing communities. Recommendations include capacity-building at all levels to improve fisheries management and reduce risk; closing data gaps; adopting an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management and use tools for Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Marine Spatial Planning; and engaging in collaborative research to facilitate the development of new information and communication technologies to improve cost-effectiveness of data acquisition, analysis and dissemination.