Climate change is already impacting Australia’s marine ecosystems. Understanding what this means for fisheries production and management is crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries into the future. Although scientific research has improved our understanding of climate‑related impacts on marine ecosystems, the systematic integration of this knowledge into fisheries governance remained a key gap.
To address this, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), in partnership with leading scientists, developed the Climate Risk Framework. This Framework provides a structured approach for incorporating climate risk considerations into existing fisheries management frameworks, supporting more adaptive, resilient, and evidence‑based governance of Australia’s fisheries.
The Framework employs a four-step risk assessment-based process that quantifies a species’ climate risk, evaluates the efficacy of existing adaptation measures, and, where elevated risk remains, supports the development of additional targeted measures. The Framework fosters collaboration between scientists, fishery managers, and industry to co‑develop practical and evidence‑based adaptation strategies. The approach also ensures that expert advice on climate risk and adaptation is systematically incorporated into decision‑making, thereby embedding climate adaptation within mainstream fisheries management. This Framework will be of interest to stakeholders seeking a practical solution to bridge the gap between climate science and fisheries governance.