Building an evidence base for inclusive nature-based climate solutions in small-scale aquaculture in the Philippines and Cambodia

 

The small-scale aquaculture sector in Southeast Asia is the main livelihood for many fish farm workers and it plays a vital role in addressing food and nutrition insecurity throughout the region. However, small-scale aquaculture faces challenges related to international trade, competition with larger aquafarms, maintaining environmental integrity, and the looming threat of climate change. There is a need to make a strong case for nature-friendly, richly biodiverse and inclusive small-scale aquaculture systems.

This project will provide an evidence-based program that supports learning, sharing and implementation activities that are needed to promote inclusive, nature-based climate practices among the small-scale aquaculture sectors in both Philippines and Cambodia. The case study methodology will generate socio-ecological, environmental, climate and economic data across five sites that will be collected through an appropriate gender lens and across a variety of aquatic ecosystems and species. Parallel activities for strategic knowledge garnering, capacity enhancement and network building will be undertaken for key stakeholders. The project’s findings will inform strategic planning in the aquaculture sector in both countries.

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 relevant research towards inclusive nature-based aquaculture solutions and at gaining a better understanding of how such solutions can contribute to climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and food security across the Asia-Pacific region.