Establishment of ASEAN-ROK Network on Climate Change Adaptation in Aquaculture

Dr. Nelson A. Lopez
Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Division
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
PCA Building Elliptical Rd, Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines

Dr. Eung Oh Kim
Aquaculture Research Institute
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute
Busan 619-705
Busan, Korea

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
Department of Aquaculture (DA)
Philippines

National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NIFS)
Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries (MIFAFF)
Republic of Korea (ROK)

Two years from July 2009 approved to November 2011 completed

Most ASEAN countries, with high fisheries dependence both in capture and aquaculture source, are considered to be amongst most vulnerable to the impact of climate change (CC) in the world. This does not only threaten the livelihood of more than half billion people involved directly or indirectly in the industry but also jeopardize the aquaculture sector that contributes significantly to food security.

The main objective of the project is to establish a network among ASEAN and ROK in countering impacts of climate change in aquaculture that supply fundamental source of protein to people worldwide. Through sharing of experiences, strategies and actions taken addressing the effects of CC that hinder production in aquaculture ASEAN/ROK would be able to adapt, mitigate and lessen the danger of continuous supply of aquatic products such as finfish, shellfish, seaweeds and other farmed species. Further, coming up of a unified action plan/programs beneficial and applicable to participating countries in addressing CC could be achieve through the network.

The two-year project was financially supported by the ASEAN Korea Economic Cooperation (AKEC) Fund. Of the total budget, USD 150,780, USD 114,972 were executed for two years.

The project aims to establish a network among ASEAN and ROK in countering possible impacts of climate change in aquaculture. Specifically, it aims to:

The project’s first year main activity, the “ASEAN?ROK Seminar Workshop on the Impacts of Climate Change in Aquaculture Production” was held last 16-25 August 2010 in Busan Korea, administered by NIFS-Korea. These minar workshop was participated in by fisheries/aquaculture experts from ASEAN (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) and ROK, who shared their own country experiences on climate change adaptation, also included WGEC observer from Vietnam.

During the seminar workshop, participants from ASEAN presented their respective country reports reflecting their observations, experiences and problems in the realm of extreme weather events brought about by very, high temperature, drought, tornados, cyclones, floods, high tides and siltation, among others that affect Aquaculture Industry.

CC adaptation and mitigation measures were also shared among participants. Likewise, participants gained knowledge from international experts on CC focusing on the issues affecting fisheries and marine environment.

In the the workshop, the group was divided into three to discuss (a) exposure to climate change potentials and actual effect to their respective country’s aquaculture sector, (b) adaptation and mitigation measures and (c) researchable areas. Strategic recommendations and specific plan of action for the region were firmed-up during this 10-day seminar workshop.

Participants: see the file attached below.

Regional Consultation Meeting was held in Busan from 27-30 April 2011. It was participated in by fisheries experts from Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries such as (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) and officials from international organizations such as ASEAN Secretariat Office, Food and Agriculture organization (FAO), the Worldfish Center, Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), South-East Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), MIFAFF and NIFS-ROK. Regional and international organizations involved in CC issues were invited to present their programs and activities related to CC with the end view of determining how they could assist, support or guide AMS in addressing the impact of CC in aquaculture/fisheries. Accomplishments and major recommendations in Year 1 were also presented during this consultation.

The group, recognizing the importance of the fisheries & aquaculture sectors for the ASEAN and the likelihood of climate change impacts on the sector, recommended for the continuation of the Network. All participants agreed on institutionalizing the ASEAN-ROK regional networking on CC adaptation in aquaculture. They also agreed to prepare a general concept note/proposal for the continuation of the network, with NEW DIMENSION to MOVE FORWARD for the networking.

To sustain the continuity of this initiative, one option suggested by ASEC (represented by Dir Somsak Pippopinyo) is the preparation of a clear CCA Framework for Fisheries to fit in the current umbrella program of ASEAN on Climate Change, the “ASEAN Multi-Sectoral Framework on Climate Change (AFCC): Agriculture: Agriculture and Forestry Towards Food Security”. ASEC welcomed the submission of a proposal by way of ministerial endorsement.

Also NIFS-ROK is willing to support the continuity of the project and requested the project proponent to submit a proposal to be submitted to MOFAT-ROK for possible funding support.

Another noteworthy suggestion from international consultants was to present the final output of this project to international conferences related to CC such as the forthcoming FAO-APFIC meeting on CC to be held in Nepal for a possible regional pipelining for other CC related programs and encourage donors/sponsors to continue this timely needed action to deal with the negative impact of CC in aquaculture sector which contributes significantly to food security.

Participants: see the file attached below.

In Year 1 activities, the participants were able to gather first hand information how aquaculture in other ASEAN countries were affected by the impacts of CC, such as what countries are most affected/vulnerable to CC, what mitigating measures are being undertaken, etc.

Based on the presentations of international experts on CC and country reports of AMS representatives, workshop was conducted resulting into a unified and prioritized recommendations addressing important issues affecting the Aquaculture Sector/Industry in the Region.

In view of the above, during the Year 2 consultation meeting, the group invited International organizations that are implementing Climate Change related programs, to present the workshop output and for them to pipeline within their CC projects.

Recognizing the importance and timely relevance of this CC networking initiative specifically addressing the Aquaculture Fisheries, all the invited officials from ASEAN Secretarial Office, FAO, Worldfish Center, NACA, SEAFDEC, MIFAFF, and NIFS-ROK, unanimously recommend this project should continue. Dr. Somsak Pipoppinyo, ASEAN Secretariat’s Director for Finance, emphasized that, ” ASEC recognized that this CC network initiative for aquaculture is IMPORTANT!”, and suggested to prepare a good proposal, indicating what the group wants to do to have a strong network that should contribute to ASEAN agenda.

Addressing the CC impacts in aquaculture production will continually sustain one of the important industries in ASEAN countries engaged in trade and exports.

The interests and the support of the participants in this project are reflected in the Final Report specifically in the workshop outputs and minutes of the meeting.

The participants believed that through this group effort, it will strongly attract support from international organizations and participants’ respective governments to prioritized CC programs that may impact aquaculture production.

Institutionalization of the networking established between ASEAN-member countries and the Republic of Korea in adapting impacts of climate change in aquaculture and fisheries is to be next step. Institutionalizing the networking and incorporating it in the ASEAN umbrella program on Climate Change will assure the official continuity of addressing the impacts as well as the taking possible opportunities brought about by Climate Change in Aquaculture and Fisheries especially the impacts that threaten the sustainability of aquaculture/fisheries production in the region.

This webpage is managed by: Dr. Qtae Jo of NIFS, Korea (qtjo@nfrdi.go.kr) Ms. Irma F. Ortiz of BFAR, Philippines (irmaortiz44@yahoo.com.ph)