El-Nemo
Dealing with climate change for Australia's marine and aquatic environments
The El-Nemo program is part of a national framework to coordinate the implementation of two national plans and strategies including the National Climate Change Action Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the National Adaptation Research Plans for Marine Biodiversity and Resources, and Primary Industries.
The program recognises that marine and aquatic environments are expected to experience significant climate driven changes in the southern hemisphere over the next century. It also recognises that the threats and opportunities that may be experienced by Australian fisheries and aquaculture sectors will depend on how well prepared and adaptable the sectors and fisheries managers are to respond.
Information will be provided to help individuals and businesses manage risks and opportunities presented by climate change. Fisheries managers, fishers from all sectors (commercial, recreational and indigenous) and aquaculturalists will all benefit from the coordinated approach.
The program is governed by a Coordination Committee which includes members from across Australia. A clear goal for the program is to deal with common questions that span borders; and to help coordinate the investment to ensure each region understands and is prepared for change such as drought, increasing water temperatures and changes to fish movements.
The program will also provide an opportunity to coordinate support and activities with the Department of Climate Change and the Australia’s
Farming Future - Climate Change Research Program for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
To coordinate the research and development activities, three regionally based programs will be established. Each program will identify projects for completion and aim to
systematically address questions such as 'what is going to happen to
the currents and temperatures', 'what is going to happen to the fish',
'what opportunities do these changes present' and 'what are our options
to respond?' The three programs will cover the geographical regions of:
The first program to be established is the South Eastern. Coordination of this program will be undertaken by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. Information on the South East Program will be updated and placed on its webpage. This will include new projects and funding opportunities. The following programs will be developed in time.
