Promoting community-based climate resilience in the fisheries sector in Jamaica

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

• Strengthening the fisheries policy and regulatory framework. The underpinning of the legislation with climate-smart clauses will give power to community led measures for e.g., the restoration of resources in overfished areas or monitoring actions to limit illegal practices.
• Investing in viable alternative livelihoods. Support and training will be provided to marine-based sustainable economic activities that are endorsed by the participating communities. Alternative means of economic benefit, which also serve to keep local sea faring traditions alive, include small-scale fish farming, and the cultivation of sea cucumber, crab, conch, and seaweed. Typical seaweeds harvested on the Jamaican coast offer commercial uses including carrageenan for food ingredients, bioplastics, and pharmaceuticals.
• Implementing measures to increase awareness. Education on capture and culture fisheries will aim to increase support and vital public participation in sustainable policies.
• The development of organizational capacity. Programs to improve the ability and capacity of local fishing co-operatives will seek to facilitate their transition into alternative activities.

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…

• The Development of a strategy, action plan, and guidelines for the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced.
• The community-based fisheries management strategies and action plan is in development and will be finalized shortly.
• The final Aquaculture Value Chain Assessment report has been finalized.
• Upgrading of the existing seed stock and Government Hatchery is about to commence.
• A baseline assessment of gender and youth dynamics in the fisheries sub-sector, as well as a knowledge, attitudes and perceptions assessment in the targeted communities are complete.

Learn more:

• White River: Reefs Reap Big Rewards In Jamaica
• Video: Jamaica- Reefs Reep Big Rewards
• Project Documents