Climate-smart spatial planning assessment in support of conservation and blue growth in Da Nang city’s marine environment

This study assessed ocean climate modelling datasets to establish what sensitivities to climate change could be identified for species of commercial and conservation value in the waters of Da Nang City, Vietnam, and what actions could be taken to support their adaptation to these pressures. Commissioned via UK Research and Innovation Official Development Assistance National Capability funded project ‘Addressing Challenges of Coastal Communities through Ocean Research for Developing Economies’ (ACCORD), and co developed with the Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and Environment with the support of PEMSEA, our main ambition was to highlight what spatial management activities could be undertaken in the waters off the city to support climate change adaptation in its resources. We identified substantial sensitivities of species of commercial and conservation value across the whole bay and its offshore waters to climate change under increasing global greenhouse emissions. For species that occupy the water column (as opposed to the seabed), this sensitivity appeared to be concentrated in the southern part of the bay. Importantly, fishing pressure exacerbated the pressure of climate change on pelagic target species, highlighting the challenges of delivering food security and a growing blue economy imposed by a changing climate. Additionally, lowered emissions, in line with the Paris Agreement, would deliver clear benefits to all types of species assessed, supporting a more sustainable path for the exploration of Da Nang’s marine resources and it’s blue economy. Recommendations are made about how the Coastal Use Zoning Plan for Da Nang City could be adapted to support climate change adaptation in these species and habitats, as well as the broader sustainability of these ecosystems.