How can fisheries governance meet the challenges of oceanic climate change?: examples from South West Pacific ocean fisheries

A scientific literature is developing on the possible long term implications of climate change on ocean fisheries. Some of this addresses possible changes in fishing patterns, but there is less on the management and economic implications on both fish stocks and fishing nations. The paper draws on the fishery management literature and examines steps for analysis of economic impact identification arising from climate change impacts on fisheries. It appears that climate change may add complexity to the existing fisheries management task. Areas such as management of fishing vessel overcapacity and subsidisation of fishing in the global ocean fishing industry will need to be revisited. Two short case studies illustrating potential economic impacts drawn from East Australian and Western Pacific Tuna fisheries are used to show the underlying economic issues for coastal fishers under national jurisdiction, foreign and domestic fishers and the additional risks that climate change may bring to these fisheries. The paper propose several areas where fisheries governance can prepare for an altered future and to consider altering fisheries management.