Role of aquaculture in climate-smart food production systems: A review

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)

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Abstract: This paper reviews impacts of climate change on aquaculture, contribution of aquaculture to greenhouse gases and practical mitigations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aquaculture. Focus is given on climate smart adaptation and mitigation strategies that will help to increase resilience and adaptive capacity such as use of tank ponds during dry weathers, adjusting time of stocking and stocking fish species that are better adapted to climate change impacts. Other adaptive strategies include erection of cover or shades over ponds, digging boreholes to supply water during dry weathers and well- structured drainage system to guard against flooding. Further, the paper highlights integrated aquaculture, use of low carbon producing energy source in the production and processing of aquaculture feed and products. Finally, the review highlights the climate smart agriculture technologies, innovations and management practices and their indicators. The indicators provide the empirical basis for identifying viable climate-smart agriculture options, select contextually relevant technologies and practices, monitor results thus defining the differentiated degree of climate smart agriculture pillars on projects.