0 ©& N. SÜHRING ET AL. 
In general, increasing uncertainty and variability 
anderscores the need for fishery and aquaculture man- 
agement to be flexible to respond to and learn from 
anexpected shocks (Cochran et al. 2009; Grafton 
2010). Adaptive co-management could be adapted as 
a framework that provides some of the necessary flex- 
ibility to cope with such climate change-induced varia- 
bility and uncertainty (Armitage et al. 2009; Cochran 
et al. 2009). Many informants noted the very diverse 
local impacts one storm might have. Depending on 
wind speed and direction or tidal surges, one harbor 
may be suitable for the small boats to exit, whereas in 
another community the next fjord over, the boats may 
be stuck. These local impacts point to the importance of 
local adaptation plans that take into account the very 
detailed local knowledge and understanding of how 
different forms of wave action and local oceanographic 
conditions affect at-sea operations. The inclusion of 
local knowledge in decision making was also deemed 
a necessity by interviewees from aquaculture, who 
pointed out that the people who work in the industry 
have the best knowledge of what happens on the ground. 
Local knowledge of weather processes could establish 
schemes that allow locals to assess whether it is safe to 
operate the net pen sites. If storms were to increase in 
intensity and frequency in the future, informants noted 
chat it would be necessary to enhance the knowledge of 
he local area in addition to constantly upgrade and 
mMaintain the equipment which is being used. 
Future research needs to advance climate 
adaptation of fisheries 
Though this study highlights the need for more flexible 
management due to uncertainties and variability in the 
weather, it also reveals the need for extensive research to 
advance climate adaptation of fisheries and to enable 
such flexible management systems. Such research 
based on an interdisciplinary approach lays the ground- 
work for more effective decision making in adaptation 
planning (Figure 5). Below, we discuss two areas of 
uture needs regarding the findings of this research: 
climate models and fishers’ behavior and adaptation 
strategies. 
Climate models, weather data, fishers’ behavior 
To plan adaptation strategies, it is beneficial to have 
access to that most up-to-date climate projections. As 
weather is experienced subjectively by individuals and 
:mpacts across marine sectors vary, precise and profes- 
sional long-term climate modeling is necessary to 
advance adaptation strategies of Icelandic fishing com- 
nunities. Due to the high variability in weather condi- 
äions in different locations in the Westfjords, local 
models are crucial to the development of local adapta- 
tion strategies. However, it is necessary to keep in mind 
‘hat even state-of-the-art climate models contain 
a certain level of uncertainty that needs to be accounted 
for when planning adaptation strategies, A high 
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Figure 5. Future research needs and directions based on interview findinas.