Climate Change: Impacts on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification are radically altering aquatic ecosystems. Climate change is modifying fish distribution and the productivity of marine and freshwater species. This has impacts on the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture, on the livelihoods of the communities that depend on fisheries, and on the ability of the oceans to capture and store carbon (biological pump). The effect of sea level rise means that coastal fishing communities are in the front line of climate change, while changing rainfall patterns and water use impact on inland (freshwater) fisheries and aquaculture. Aquaculture production is impacted by climate changes manifested in different climate zones, such as global warming leading to sea level and temperature rise, change in monsoonal rain patterns and extreme climatic events. There can be positive and negative effects of climate change on aquaculture, for example increase in water temperature is where detrimental on one hand in temperate zones, it can on the other hand enhance growth and production in tropical and subtropical zones. It has to be considered that the positive and negative effects of climate change still disrupt the aquaculture and the effects of climate change do not balance each other in different climate zones. If nothing else climate changes affects disease incidences and impacts, which warrant for changes in aquaculture practices. In addition, the inland and marine aquaculture systems behave very differently in response to the climate changes. This book provides an overview of the existing studies on climate change effects on aquaculture and fisheries. Fisheries and aquaculture contribute significantly to food security and livelihoods. Fish provides essential nutrition for 3 billion people and at least 50% of animal protein and minerals to 400 million people from the poorest countries. Over 500 million people in developing countries depend, directly or indirectly, on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods - aquaculture is the world’s fastest growing food production system, growing at 7% annually and fish products are among the most widely traded foods, with more than 37% (by volume) of world production traded internationally. While the importance of fisheries to national economies is often understated, the impacts of climate change on the sector and its implications for the socio-economics of the coastal and riparian communities are difficult to ignore. This book provides a review of potential physical and biological impacts of climate change on fisheries by giving specific cases.