Anthropogenic climate change is contributing to increased intensity and frequency of short-run shocks to California’s coastal waters, such as harmful algal blooms and marine heatwaves. These climate-related shocks often result in temporary fishery closures that have substantial direct and downstream effects on fishers, port economies, and coastal communities’ culture. When closures occur, fishing communities have historically turned to federal fishery disaster aid to help mediate loss of income typically generated during a normal fishing season. Although the federal aid program has served as a retroactive lifeline for many affected communities, the increasing frequency and intensity of fishery disasters raises questions about the continued reliability of fishery disaster aid, as well as the need for other tools to mitigate community impacts.
Ocean Science Trust is leveraging our role spanning science and policy spheres to gather researchers, policymakers, industry professionals, and non-governmental organizations to incubate science-informed action that can inform current policy and innovate new approaches. By creating opportunities for cross-pollination between these groups, Ocean Science Trust seeks to ensure that the future of fisheries disaster aid is informed by a strong scientific foundation. To do this, we are bringing science to the forefront by hosting events that elevate research to help inform action on fishery disaster aid.
In May 2024, Ocean Science Trust and research partners at UC Davis co-hosted a symposium to discuss the effectiveness of fishery disaster declarations in an increasingly climate change-driven world, explore alternate mechanisms to support fisheries and fishing communities, and ultimately investigate what’s needed to support fishermen, ports, local fishing economies, and communities in a changing climate. Moving forward, we will next elevate this conversation to a national level through a panel conversation in Washington, DC.
Last updated December 2024, please check this page for updates.
