Climate Change Adaptation
About the Project
Climate change science can be complex, difficult to understand, confusing and contentious. To maximise opportunities for adaptation, increased knowledge and understanding of climate change is essential.
The project ‘Climate Change Adaptation: Building Community and Industry Knowledge,’ known as the ‘Knowledge Project’ was developed to address this need. This project is looking at opportunities to integrate research knowledge and provide information that is easily understood, more regionally focused and industry relevant.
Additionally, the Knowledge Project was closely linked to the FRDC project ‘A climate change adaptation blueprint for coastal regional communities’ known as the ‘Blueprint Project’.
Aims
The overall project objectives were to:
- Increase knowledge and understanding of likely climate change and adaptation measures that are open to local communities.
- Support a Case Study (Blueprint Project) for Australia in adaptive management that cross-correlates regional needs with Australia-wide policy and management policies.
- Tailor extension and knowledge sharing for regional needs.
- Synthesise, analyse and assist in adaptation of key climate change information, in the context of external drivers to marine biodiversity and fisheries business.
Methods
The key project components were:
- Perception Analyses: assessment of two organisations with close links to the fishing industry.
- Case Study (Blueprint Project) Support: facilitating community participation.
- Assessment of Knowledge Needs: community and industry surveys, boundary organisation effectiveness.
- Increasing Knowledge Uptake using Innovative Approaches: participatory co-production of knowledge.
- Climate Change Communication Products: development, production and uptake of climate science knowledge.
Reports
A range of recommendations have resulted from the delivery of the project and are based on building community and industry knowledge of climate change.
To strengthen climate change knowledge and adaptation in Australia’s coastal fishing communities, efforts should focus on understanding fisher perceptions, engaging through participatory projects, and supporting organisations that bridge the gap between science and local communities. Future fisheries research must prioritise knowledge extension by empowering specialised organisations to connect scientists and decision-makers, ensuring effective communication and actionable insights for the industry.
Climate Change Adaptation Flyers
As there are a number of marine research projects underway around Australia focusing on climate change and adaptation (NARP FRDC) there was a need to better understand the information required by coastal communities and how best to extend this research into coastal and particularly fishing communities.
These flyers outline projects in the FRDC/NARP “climate change adaptation” suite of products:
- Management implications of climate change effects on fisheries in Western Australia
- An adaptation blueprint for coastal communities
- Changing currents in marine biodiversity governance and management: responding to climate change
- An Information Portal for the Oyster Industry
- Effects of climate change on reproduction, larval development, and population growth of coral trout
- Estuaries and Coasts: adaptation options for a changing climate
- Growth opportunities & critical elements in the value chain for wild fisheries & aquaculture in a changing climate
- The vulnerability of an iconic Australian finfish to an altered climate: Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
- Developing adaptation options for seabirds and marine mammals impacted by climate change
