A marine climate change adaptation blueprint for coastal regional communities
Essential elements of climate change research include taking a whole of systems approach, which entails a socio-ecological perspective, and considering climate challenges alongside other challenges faced by resource users. In this paper a case study based research approach is developed to investigate the role of climate and non-climate drivers in shaping three commercial marine sectors: fishing, aquaculture, and marine tourism. The analysis is based on information gained using in depth semi-structured interviews in a coastal community in southeast Australia. Even though climate drivers differ, the economic sectors of this community are representative of many similar coastal communities around the Australia. Results show that at a community level people involved in, or associated with marine sectors are aware of climate change impacts on the marine environment. Even though many may not see it as a pressing issue, the potential effect of climate change on business profitability was recognised. Both the profitability of commercial fishing and aquaculture (oysters) was affected through mostly a downward pressure on product price, while marine tourism profitability was mainly affected through changes in the number of visitors. A number of positive impacts from climate-driven change, mainly from windfall economic benefits of range shifted species, were reported for commercialand charter fishing. However, no positive impacts were reported for the aquacultureand dive sectors. In the aquaculture sector climate drivers were of great significance in industry participation, while participation in commercial fishing was mainly driven by socio-economic factors. Combining the different domains with climate drivers allows for identification and assessment of targeted adaptation needs and opportunities and sets up a comprehensive approach to determine future adaptation pathways.