Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

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Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox

Member since
Organization: University of the West Indies - Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (UWI-CERMES)
Country: Barbados
Field(s) of expertise:
I am working on:

Interdisciplinary research across the following projects:

‘Developing organizational capacity for ecosystem stewardship and livelihoods in Caribbean small-scale fisheries (StewardFish)’ project;

Climate Change Adaptation in the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Sector (CC4FISH) project

Adapting to a new reality: Managing responses to influxes of sargassum seaweed in the Eastern Caribbean as ecosystem hazards and opportunities (SargAdapt) Project

Sustainable Management of the Shared Living Marine Resources of the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME) and Adjacent Regions Amendment (CLME+ Project)

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    • Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox

      University of the West Indies - Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (UWI-CERMES)
      Barbados

      1. Defining progress towards securing sustainable small-scale fisheries

      Disaster risks and climate change is the most relevant topic of the SSF Guidelines for the Caribbean. Negative impacts of climate change are already evident in this region. The fisheries sectors of Caribbean islands are the most vulnerable to disasters and climate change. Climate change stressors (sea level rise and increased frequency of severe hurricanes) will continue to have significant negative impacts on the safety of fishers, fisheries infrastructure, boats and fishing equipment and coastal fishing communities. 

      Efforts to provide climate services for the fisheries sector in the Caribbean need to be strengthened to reduce vulnerability to climate risk. The Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) was established since 2009 to strengthen the production, availability, delivery and application of science-based climate prediction and services. A Caribbean Framework for Climate Services (CFCS) has been established but special emphasis on integrating the fisheries sector needs to be prioritized. Existing climate products can be used to inform decison-making in the fisheries sector but sector-specific implications would be a useful addition. The development of setcor-specific products for the fisheries sector can support the provision of early warning information systems for the fisheries sector and promote sustainable use of ocean resources, thereby supporting the implementation of the SSF Guidelines.