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Sun, 26 Apr 2026

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific

Tuna populations around the Pacific Islands could move away as ocean temperatures increase.
Kiribati, a small island nation in the Pacific, relies heavily on tuna fishing licenses sold to foreign fleets, generating over 70% of its government revenues. The country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans over 3.4 million square kilometers, making it one of the largest EEZs globally. However, rising water temperatures due to climate change pose a significant threat to local tuna populations, which could lead to a decline in fishing licenses sales and severe economic consequences. According to scientists, warmer waters may cause tuna to migrate eastward out of Kiribati's EEZ, reducing demand for fishing licenses from overseas fleets. This scenario is predicted to result in a loss of over $10 million per year by 2050 if global greenhouse gas emissions remain high. Kiribatian fishermen are also expected to see a decrease in catch, further exacerbating the country's food security challenges. The average person in Kiribati consumes around 100kg of fish per year, making fish a crucial source of protein for the population. To mitigate these effects, the UN's Green Climate Fund has launched a project to support Pacific Island communities and economies in adapting to climate change. This includes building a stronger warning system for tuna stock redistribution, maintaining food security, and government revenue despite declining reef fisheries. Kiribati is also diversifying its economy by expanding tuna processing and canning facilities and developing ocean farming of species like milkfish, snapper, and sea cucumbers to support exports and domestic food security. The country's tourism industry, renewable energy sector, and offshore sovereign wealth fund are also being explored as revenue streams beyond the sea economy.