Climate and Non-climate Related Hazards in Small Pelagic Fisheries and Milkfish Aquaculture: Expert Opinion Survey in the Philippines

Expert opinion surveys serve as a tool that collects perspectives from various experts, which can be used to enhance the reliability of a tool or study. This paper aimed to validate previously collected climate exposure factors currently impacting small pelagic fisheries and milkfish aquaculture farmers in the Philippines and to validate adaptation measures. The study was conducted through an online survey, where the questionnaire was emailed to experts from various segments of the academe, including non-government workers, and other government researchers, resulting in a total of N=22 respondents. These experts were also asked to rank the exposure factors and the adaptation measures that were taken previously from an online stakeholders’ consultation workshop on small pelagic fisheries and milkfish aquaculture. The survey indicated that the top five exposure factors for small pelagic fisheries were coastal development (due to habitat destruction), water quality, temperature changes, typhoons, and declining catch. For milkfish aquaculture, the top five exposure factors were water quality (leading to fish stock depletion), fry source, temperature changes, typhoons, and salinity. As for adaptation measures, alternative livelihood, establishments of marine protected areas (MPAs), and financial access were identified for small pelagic fisheries, while the development of hatcheries, research, and development for feed formulation, and marketing support are the adaptations identified for milkfish aquaculture farmers. From the results, expert opinion on vulnerability assessments provides a valuable contribution by facilitating faster decision-making to address issues on climate change vulnerability and adaptation in coastal management and sustainable aquaculture.