Development and application of the fisheries vulnerability assessment tool (Fish Vool) to tuna and sardine sectors in the Philippines

Abstract

Climate change studies in the Philippines are emerging fast, focusing on different fields of sciences. However, studies that address the fisheries sector remain insufficient. Here, we described a sector-based fisheries vulnerability assessment tool (Fish Vool) to evaluate the vulnerability of primary fishery commodities. Tool demonstration and validation were conducted in General Santos and Zamboanga City, which are the primary producers of tuna and sardine, respectively. Fish Vool revealed an overall medium vulnerability (low exposure, medium sensitivity, and low adaptive capacity) for both sectors. The vulnerability assessment of the tuna and sardine sectors emphasizes the potential of Fish Vool to assess climate change vulnerability for primary commodities and other fishery sectors.