In 2017, the Climate Investment Funds (CIF)’ Pilot Project for Climate Resilience (PPCR) approved a $5M project to help protect the climate vulnerable Jamaican fishing sector and dependent communities. This green light adds to a portfolio of CIF climate change adaptation initiatives in the country.
Background
Jamaican fisheries are responsible for the employment of +40,000 people. Over 200,000 more livelihoods are reliant on direct contributions from the sector. Any climate related threat in Jamaica risks a profound social impact in the artisanal fishing and coastal communities, which are mainly rural with low levels of educational attainment.
Impacts of climate change
Of major concern is fish stock loss and aquaculture damage in the Caribbean region. In 2005, extreme sea temperatures caused the largest recorded bleaching of coral reefs, wiping out 70% of the reefs in some areas; not an easy loss to bear; the largest can take 100,000 years to grow back.
This loss of biodiversity is tragic, as is the economic threat. Reefs act as natural barriers to hurricanes, literally giving shelter to those fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on them. The decline of reef fisheries has brought appreciable losses to the Jamaican economy.
Meanwhile, ocean acidification and its impact on marine life significantly add to the woes of local fishing folk. The loss of the under-threat Conch for instance, one of the biggest fisheries/agricultural exports and generator of foreign exchange would be significant – an estimated 2% decline in national GDP.
These climate effects alongside unsustainable practices, such as over-fishing, make increasingly exposed communities yet more vulnerable to extreme weather events.
The goals of the project in building climate resilience
The CIF investment aims to enhance community-based climate resilience among targeted fishing communities in Jamaica. It is part of the Government’s efforts to engage these communities in building a climate smart future.
Workstreams and their intended outcomes/results
While international best practices inform the design of these activities, the pro-active inputs of local knowledge and community experience are crucial to future success. There are notable achievements thus far…
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