Marawi city: A climate and fisheries expert from the Department of Agriculture has emphasized the need to protect small-scale fishers in the Philippines from worsening climate impacts. Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos, Scientist V at the DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), raised this concern following the 2nd Philippines Smallscale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS2) held at Mindanao State University in Marawi City on Oct. 22.

According to Philippines News Agency, Santos highlighted the urgent need to address the effects of growing climate vulnerabilities faced by the sector. He noted that climate change is an immediate reality, urging the identification of vulnerabilities in small-scale fisheries to formulate appropriate responses. Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and changing weather patterns continue to disrupt fish populations and ecosystems. These impacts were observed in case studies focusing on species such as milkfish, freshwater eel, and giant squid.

Santos underscored the necessity for proactive measures to bolster climate resilience and protect the income of fishers who belong to this vulnerable sector. He highlighted the economic challenges faced by small fishers, stating in Filipino, "In the Philippines, the small fishers are the poorest of them all, even with no climate change. How worse will it be?"

He pointed out that the government has tools available to help mitigate the impact of climate change on the fisheries sector. These include FishVool, the DA Planner Portal, and Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) for crops and fisheries. FishVool serves as an assessment tool to evaluate the fisheries' susceptibility to climate change, while the Planner Portal aids in providing data-driven or evidence-based actions. The CRVA is used for risk assessments under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FISHCORE) Project.

In conclusion, Santos stressed the importance of information and accessible resources to implement available interventions against the effects of climate change in the Philippines. "We need to inform the people. These things are happening. Climate change is real, so we need to prepare," he stated.