For the world’s tuna population, the stakes have never been higher. A species confronted by climate change and the impacts of a warming ocean, this bedrock of community, industry, and ecological systems is currently facing population declines that not only spells difficulties for its own long-term survival, but so too for those that depend upon them.

Which is why a new grant secured by Conservation International to support some 14 Pacific Island nations in their role of stewards of the species and the environments they thrive best in has been welcomed with open arms by those communities in the region most affected.

Communities across the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and ten other Pacific Island nations are recognised globally as custodians of one third of the world’s tuna catch and have – for decades – managed their populations in a sustainable and resourceful way.

To support them in this role, a transformative $107.4 million grant has been secured by Conservation International and the Pacific Community to help safeguard the economic and social benefits each nation receives from tuna against the impacts of climate change.

The Green Climate Fund now represents one of the largest climate funding grants ever handed to the Pacific region and – by virtues of its importance – has attracted, along the way, an additional $49.4 million in co-finance, to bring the total value of the programme to $156.8 million.

This money will be used to support each of the 14 nations to adapt to the impact that a warming ocean has – and will have – on the tuna stocks that underpin their economies and enable tuna fisheries to make greater contributions to local food security.

“This landmark funding ensures our communities can continue relying on tuna as an essential source of food, revenue, and cultural value,” said Mona Ainu’u, Niue’s Minister for Natural Resources. “By adapting now, we can protect our people’s livelihoods and strengthen our resilience to climate change.”

Tuna is critical for both food and economic security in Small Island Developing States in the Pacific. Collectively, the tuna industry supports tens of thousands of jobs in the region and – for nine of these countries – fees associated with tuna fishing access alone provide an average of 34% of government revenue.

Due to declines in coastal fishing production, however – caused by environmental changes such as coral bleaching – Pacific communities will increasingly need to depend on tuna to obtain the protein they require for food security.

The issue is, research shows there to be a growing risk that – as the ocean warms – tuna stocks will be pushed away from the island’s respective maritime zones and into international waters, potentially limiting the economic benefits that these 14 nations currently derive from tuna fishing.

In fact, climate-driven tuna redistribution could reduce the average catch from Pacific Island waters by between 10 and 30% by the year 2050, amounting to a collective loss of $40-140 million each year.

The funded programme will therefore provide the tools required to develop and support adaptations needed to be made by Pacific Island nations to maintain the economic benefits they receive from tuna today. These adaptations will be based on the 50 years of science, research, and evidence-based decision making already invested into the issue.

“Knowing when and to what extent ocean warming will change the distribution of tuna stocks will enable Pacific Island nations to identify solutions, together with the international community, to minimise the consequences of climate change on their economies,” said Johann Bell, senior director for Tuna Fisheries at Conservation International.

The funding will also assist Pacific communities in using Fish Aggregating Devices more frequently and establishing them as part of their national infrastructure supporting food security.

“This is the world’s largest ocean climate adaptation initiative, and it started with science. Modeling by Pacific Communities indicates that tuna will move progressively into the high seas from Pacific nations’ waters,” said Jack Kittinger, senior vice president, Centre for Sustainable Lands and Waters at Conservation International. 

“These countries are least responsible for climate change and they have long stewarded this vital resource with great care. Now they have the financing to continue to do so.

“This investment will secure the region’s position as a leader in tuna fisheries management while highlighting the urgency of global climate action.”

Over the coming months, Pacific Island governments will finalise implementation plans for each activity supported by the grant – activities designed to sustain tuna stocks and secure coastal livelihoods as the climate continues to change.

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