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The purpose of the workshop was to support governance actors and community leads to learn and train local communities in moving from vulnerability assessment to adaptation planning and implementation in fisheries and aquaculture. Twenty-six participants (women and men) attended from Angola, Namibia and South Africa. The workshop was spread across two days. Day 1 provided an overview of some of the key ideas and tools for adaptation planning. Participants were reminded of the need to combine information from bottom-up and top-down assessment processes.

A review of the adaptation toolbox developed by FAO helped guide partners in planning their adaptation; the importance of considering the timing of risk as well as that of climate funding, were reiterated. The focus of day 2 was on community-level adaptation planning. The main climate risks/stressors identified during the rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA) process were revisited, and the suite of adaptation actions identified were presented. The practical steps to follow when taking forward the adaptation “ideas” and options identified in the RVA process were outlined. This is not a linear process but a slow, ongoing and iterative process, and each adaptation option has its own pathway. Some adaptation actions may be easily implemented (e.g. a training course on community organization) while others may require several steps and information (e.g. research, engagement with different government departments) before being implemented. The outcome of the workshop was used to inform the planning of the project Supporting Member Countries Implement Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Fisheries and Aquaculture (GCP/GLO/959/NOR).