Phase IV – Responses of Biological Productivity and Fisheries to Changes in Atmospheric and Oceanographic Conditions in the Upwelling Region Associated with the East African Coastal Current

The PEACC Project investigated the ecosystem impacts of meteorological and oceanographic conditions in the upwelling region associated with the East African Coastal Current (EACC) system, recognizing upwelling as the primary driver of regional fisheries. The project established critical relationships between upwelling, marine productivity, and associated fisheries, ultimately providing management action points to enhance the resilience of coastal communities to vulnerabilities arising from these changes.

Implemented under four specific objectives, the project achieved the following:

• Objective 1: Determine trends in upwelling related to changes in oceanographic and surface meteorological conditions within the EACC system.
• Objective 2: Assessed the impacts of these trends on marine productivity and small pelagic fisheries, providing predictions for future impacts.
• Objective 3: Analyze the vulnerability and resilience of fisheries-dependent communities in the EACC upwelling region and explore adaptation options.
• Objective 4: Examine the governance of small pelagic fisheries across different scales and evaluate the capacity of governance institutions to respond to changes in upwelling regimes.

The project utilized geophysical modeling and remote sensing tools to investigate changes in upwelling and productivity, validating findings through field sampling in strategic coastal sites in Tanga (Tanzania) and the North Kenya Bank (Kenya). Comprehensive socio-ecological surveys employed a variety of tools, including Social Vulnerability Assessments.

By the end of the project, significant progress had been made in the configuration and operation of geophysical models, revealing the complex nature of coastal upwelling in the region. Data collected included primary productivity, biometric information, catch data, nutrient levels, chlorophyll-a, zooplankton, and other environmental parameters. The research team prepared for the publication of various scientific findings and effectively linked with ongoing and planned research and management authorities.

The PEACC Project was successfully implemented by ten institutions from five countries, led by the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, with participation from universities and research institutions from South Africa, the USA, the UK, and Kenya. The project was funded by WIOMSA with a budget of US $170,000, contributing to the enhancement of the resilience and adaptive capacity of coastal communities in the face of climatic and biophysical changes associated with upwelling.