AQUA-Pearl: scaling up community-led nature-based oyster aquaculture for climate resilience in Fiji

 

AQUA-Pearl builds on previous pilot aquaculture projects focused on off-shore production of pearl oysters. To scale up these pilots, AQUA-Pearl will explore current and future climate vulnerabilities and risks in the aquaculture sector in Fiji and identify opportunities for nature-based solutions (NbS), such as habitat protection or expansion of carbon sinks like wetlands, to support climate resilience and protect biodiversity.

Through research, policy analysis and implementation, this project will integrate diverse community and stakeholder values and preferences into planning and design, scale up an example of a successful community-led pilot project, identify entry points to align fisheries and aquaculture development with national plans, and unpack the role of the private sector and other stakeholders in community-led aquaculture that integrates gender-responsive, nature-based climate solutions.

The project will also help AQUA-Pearl partners, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and national and local authorities from Fiji and other Pacific Island states to build and share their knowledge, capacities and information to scale up community-led nature-based aquaculture projects in their communities.  

The project is part of the Nature-based Climate Solutions in Aquacultural Food Systems in Asia-Pacific initiative (AQUADAPT), which is co-funded by Global Affairs Canada and IDRC. AQUADAPT is a four-year, CAD23-million initiative aimed at driving research action toward inclusive nature-based aquaculture solutions and at a better understanding of how such solutions can contribute to climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and food security across the Asia-Pacific region.