Climate Vulnerability Assessments in Marine Fisheries: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

Abstract

Climate Vulnerability Assessments (CVAs) are important tools for understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change on marine fisheries. Since their introduction in the 1990s, CVAs have evolved from theoretical frameworks to practical applications aimed at fostering climate‐resilient fisheries management. This review synthesises recent advancements in CVAs, focusing on methodologies, geographic applications, stakeholder participation and their contributions to fisheries management. While many CVAs emphasise ecological or social dimensions, recent efforts have integrated these components, offering holistic insights into the vulnerabilities of fisheries as coupled socio‐ecological systems. Key innovations include participatory approaches that incorporate expert knowledge and stakeholder input alongside advances in quantitative modelling and spatially explicit analyses. Our review highlights specific examples where CVAs have informed various management applications, such as species protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the design of adaptive harvest strategies in Australia. However, barriers remain, including inconsistent methodological standards, limited uptake in nations with low‐income economies and challenges translating CVA outputs into actionable policies. Looking ahead, developing generalised, integrated frameworks that bridge ecological and social dimensions, identifying ways to link CVA outputs to management guidance, and improving methodologies for data‐limited contexts will all improve uptake and application of CVAs. Strengthening the connections between existing CVAs and climate‐ready fisheries through adaptive management strategies can support fisheries management outcomes in a changing climate while balancing ecological sustainability and socio‐economic equity.

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