Stakeholders urge institutions to tackle climate change threats to artisanal fisheries  

Institutional stakeholders have been called upon to play a central role in addressing climate change impacts on artisanal fisheries towards promoting sustainable harvesting practices, ecosystem protection, and flexible regulatory approaches.

Foluke Daramola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, made the call on Wednesday in Akure at a policy dialogue event towards strengthening climate-resilient fisheries through a policy roundtable and promoting community-based climate-fisheries resilience in coastal communities in Oke Siri and Enu Ama in Ilaje LGA, Ondo State, organised by the Aquaworld Community Development Initiative.

According to her, social protection measures, such as disaster relief programmes, insurance schemes, and livelihood support initiatives, are essential for reducing vulnerability to climate-related shocks.

She said that despite the importance of artisanal fisheries, climate change has introduced complex environmental, economic, social, and health-related challenges that threaten the sustainability of artisanal fishing systems.

Daramola said, “Addressing the impacts of climate change on artisanal fisheries, therefore, requires a comprehensive understanding of the multiple dimensions of vulnerability and the roles of different stakeholders in adaptation and mitigation efforts.

“Climate change poses multidimensional challenges to artisanal fisheries, affecting ecosystems, livelihoods, social structures, and food security. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action from both institutional and communal stakeholders.

“By fostering inclusive governance, strengthening resilience, and promoting sustainable resource management, it is possible to ease the impacts of climate change on artisanal fisheries and secure their role in sustainable development.”

Paul Eweola, the Project Manager, Aquaworld Community Development Initiative, in his welcome remarks, said the gathering reflects a shared commitment to shaping a future where policy, science, and community voices work together to strengthen Nigeria’s fisheries sector and protect the livelihoods and ecosystems that depend on it.

According to Eweola, the organisation believe in empowering local communities and dwellers to become agents of change and actively involves them in all stages of project planning, implementation and monitoring.

He said, “The challenges we face might be complex, but so too are the opportunities when collaboration guides our actions. We are privileged to be joined by senior leaders from government, academia, development partners, and civil society.

“We appreciate the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Environment, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, whose mission, vision and science continue to advance the national conversation on sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and environmental stewardship.

“We are grateful to the UNDP GEF SGP who fully supported the project for a 12 month duration ensuring the achievement of development in coastal communities in Ondo state.”

BusinessDay reports that Aquaworld Community Development Initiative is a registered youth-inclusive non-governmental organisation dedicated to implementing creative solutions to promote marine protection and deploying pragmatic approaches to improve the aesthetic values of coastal communities in Nigeria.