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The current magnitude of ocean extreme events already exceeds the end-of-the-decade scenario estimates, and therefore incremental adaptation measures will render insufficient for seafood-dependent livelihoods. Nevertheless, transformational change is deemed promising, but uncertainties remain as to what activates such processes and how maladaptation outcomes can be avoided. While the science on extreme events is advancing fast, little is known about livelihood adaptation and transformation processes in the context of single or compound ocean extreme events. We identify a set of research priorities: 1) the identification of hotspot areas for coastal compound extreme events, 2) the development of bottom-up case study analysis of adaptation to extreme events, 3) the identification of constrainers and enablers to livelihood adaptation and transformation under abrupt change, and 4) directing research to contribute to climate -change policy. An effort addressing these key gaps will inform seafood-dependent livelihood adaptation policies for the 2030 Agenda and beyond.

Large-scale fisheries are important social-ecological systems that are increasingly being threatened by global climate change. Adaptive capacity is key for moving fisheries onto climate resilient pathways, however, implementing policies to improve adaptive capacity is challenging given the many diverse stakeholders involved in fisheries. Previous research suggests social networks are integral to adaptive capacity because social connectivity can enable, or constrain, knowledge and information sharing. We examine the network of communication among stakeholders in the Basque tropical tuna freezer purse seine fishery in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. We use cluster analysis, descriptive statistics, and exponential random graph models to assess whether different types of actors, occupying different network positions, value similar adaptive capacity strategies. The results indicate that many actor types are frequently connected within the fishery. Preferences for adaptive capacity strategies vary within and across actor types, and the preferences of highly central actors are generally more homogeneous and narrowly focused. All actors agree on the importance of the social organization domain from adaptive capacity, while fishing industry representatives tend to have the most holistic perspective on adaptive capacity overall. We discuss the implications of these findings as they relate to policies for supporting adaptive capacity and climate resilient fisheries.