Climate change and the blue economy: the role of fisheries and aquaculture

Key messages

• The small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sectors are a critically important source of livelihoods and nutrition for hundreds of millions of men and women. They are central to a sustainable and equitable blue economy and can make substantial contributions to sustainable development.
• Despite contributing relatively little to global emissions, fisheries and aquaculture face high levels of climate risk, particularly in the tropics and in areas facing compounding stressors, such as overfishing.
• To support resilient aquatic food systems, climate adaptation strategies must be multi-sectoral, multi-scale, and guided by the principles of equity and human rights. Transformative measures to reduce poverty and provide food and nutrition security will be instrumental.
• Policies and investments should work in partnership with small-scale fishing and fish-farming people and communities — including women and youth — to support their capacity to lead sustainable adaptive and transformative actions.