Louis’s research topic: An investigation into the strategies employed by Samoa’s indigenous fishing industry to manage and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.
I spent three weeks in Apia, Samoa, talking to key stakeholders in the fields of climate change adaptation, fisheries, and aquaculture. My thesis looked to investigate the national adaptation policies implemented to protect and sustain coastal marine environments and the communities that rely upon resources sourced for these environments. As a case study, I examined aquaculture and explored whether aquaculture was a viable adaptation option for people involved with coastal and subsistence fishing. Over the three weeks, I was able to have conversations with coastal community members, visit aquaculture sites and consult with experts on the utility of aquaculture projects, including recent efforts to revitalise the culturing of traditional, edible limu (seaweed). My research found that national adaptation frameworks do adequately address the needs of those most impacted by the effects of climate change and environmental degradation (coastal and subsistence fishermen), but the future aquaculture as a viable adaptation strategy is unclear.
Louis Morrell , Master’s student, Massey University”
