This report presents the activities and results of the workshop Envisioning 2050: Climate Change, Aquaculture and Fisheries in West Africa. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss critical issues and uncertainties faced by the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Ghana, Senegal and Mauritania, build sectoral scenarios for 2050 and discuss the implication of these scenarios in the context of climate change for the countries and the region

Badjeck, M.C.

Diop, N.

Flitner, M.

Katikiro, R.E.

Schwerdtner M, K.

English

Aquatic Commons

Envisioning 2050: climate change, aquaculture and fisheries in West Africa. Dakar, Senegal 14-16 April 2010

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Vision 2050 : Changement climatique, pêche et aquaculture en Afrique de l’Ouest, du 14 au 16 avril 2010, Dakar, SénégalThis report presents the activities and results of the workshop Envisioning 2050: Climate Change,
Aquaculture and Fisheries in West Africa. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss critical issues
and uncertainties faced by the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Ghana, Senegal and Mauritania, build
sectoral scenarios for 2050 and discuss the implication of these scenarios in the context of climate
change for the countries and the region. During the workshop participants were introduced to scenariobuilding
methodologies, identified drivers of change and ranked them according to their importance
and levels of uncertainty. Participants then constructed four consistent scenarios for 2050 for each
country. The scenarios raised several questions including: Can aquaculture address both national food
security and macroeconomic growth? Should regional trade be promoted or access to global markets
prioritised? How will climate change affect fishery resources, especially small pelagic fish like sardines,
which are an important export commodity for Senegal and Mauritania?
Participants also assessed the implications of the different scenarios in terms of climate change and
research and development in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. It was agreed that a regional or
sub-regional effort is needed to better integrate scientific knowledge and to put into place coherent
fisheries policies. Additionally, a better understanding of the impacts of climate change on the sector is
needed, with for instance, the development of coupled climate-fisheries models for major commercial
fisheries in the region. Participants unanimously agreed that strategic planning and foresight studies
methodologies should be widely disseminated. Indeed the opportunity for reflective and creative
thinking was recognised as an important part of planning - especially adaptation planning - to climate
change.
Finally, the workshop provided a rare opportunity to include in a foresight study, art projects by youth
on the future of the fisheries sector and the coasts as an exhibition and discussion theme (“Visions of
the Future: What is African Youth telling us about our Ocean?”). Empowering youth on climate change
issues and integrating their needs into adaptation planning is essential as they will be the ones most
affected by future developments

Badjeck, Marie-Caroline

Katikiro, Robert E.

Flitner, Michael

Diop, Ndiaga

Schwerdtner Máñez, Kathleen

International Development Research Centre: IDRC Digital Library

Envisioning 2050 : Climate Change, Aquaculture and Fisheries in West Africa, Dakar, Senegal, 14-16th April 2010

http://aquaticcommons.org/5004/1/WF_2783.pdf

Envisioning 2050: climate change, aquaculture and fisheries in West Africa. Dakar, Senegal 14-16 April 2010

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Aquatic Commons

International Development Research Centre: IDRC Digital Library