Conclusions
The issues and practical approaches outlined in this module provide the framework within which the fisheries and aquaculture sector can define and apply climate-smart processes and actions. This will reduce the impacts of climate change, improve the sector’s mitigation potential and increase the resilience of producers, supply chains and communities. It should be noted that optimizing all variables of climate-smart agriculture simultaneously is not always possible and may not be necessary. Prioritizing actions will depend on the context and objectives for the fisheries and aquaculture sector in a given area and on the production system as a whole.
Developing rapid and effective responses to climate change in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, and mainstreaming climate-responsive approaches within wider development goals represents a significant strategic and operational challenge. Conventional approaches for building and validating evidence within traditional disciplines and contexts may not always be feasible. Experience will need to be built up through an adaptive management process based on action learning with broad participation and information sharing among stakeholders. In addition, the nature of climate change vulnerability will need to be explored further. Practical means need to be developed to ensure that the most vulnerable states, production systems, communities and people have the potential to develop and apply sound climate-smart agriculture approaches.