Fisheries Climate Impact Reports

Impacts of Climate Change on Tuna Fisheries Sector in the WCPO (Dr Leontine Baje- Fisheries Advisor, Pacific Community) Dr. Leontine began her presentation by stressing that it has become more evident in recent years that climate change significantly impacts tuna fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), one of the world's most critical regions for tuna fishing. Dr Leontine highlighted that global warming and the industry that depends on it adversely impact them. Among the essential impacts of climate change on the tuna fisheries sector that Dr. Leontine put forward are as follows: • Changing Tuna Distribution: Rising sea temperatures and changes in ocean currents are altering the distribution of tuna species. Some species may move to cooler waters, while others may expand their range. This can make it more challenging for fishing fleets to locate and catch tuna, affecting catch rates and profitability. • Migration Patterns: Tuna species like skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna migrate over large distances in response to changes in ocean conditions. Climate change can disrupt these migration patterns, making it harder for fishermen to predict where and when tuna will be abundant. • Extreme Weather Events: Climate change leads to more frequent and severe weather events, including tropical storms and cyclones. These events can damage fishing vessels, infrastructure, and processing facilities, leading to economic losses for the industry. To conclude, Dr Leontine stressed the need to mitigate the impact of climate change to ensure the sustainability of tuna fisheries in the WCPO; it is essential to monitor and adapt to changing ocean conditions, implement effective conservation measures, and invest in more climate-resilient fishing practices and infrastructure. Collaboration between governments, fisheries management organizations, scientists, and the fishing industry is crucial to addressing climate change challenges in the Blue Pacific Continent.

Extreme monsoon changes threaten Bay of Bengal's role as a critical food source Although Bay of Bengal covers < 1% of the global ocean, it supplies nearly 8% of world's fishery production. Its coastal waters support densely populated regions that rely heavily on marine resources for food, livelihoods. Productivity of these waters—ability of the ocean to support plankton growth—is foundation of marine food web. If ocean productivity declines, it will powerfully affect ecosystem, ultimately reducing fish stocks and threatening food security for coastal communities. A monsoon is essential for providing freshwater to the region, Both extremely strong and extremely weak monsoon periods over the centuries caused a significant disruption—a 50% reduction in food available for marine life at the surface. This occurred because these extreme conditions inhibited mixing btwn deep and surface zones, preventing nutrients from reaching upper region where marine life thrives. With climate change expected to make a monsoon more intense and variable, and those extremes provoking stratification of ocean layers, food supply produced by Bay of Bengal may be threatened. To understand how Indian summer monsoon and ocean productivity have changed over time, scientists studied fossil shells of foraminifera—tiny single-celled plankton that live in oceans and build calcium carbonate shells. Shells preserve information about environment they grew in, acting like natural recorders of past ocean and climate conditions. The sediments analyzed were recovered from seafloor by scientists aboard research vessel JOIDES Resolution as part of International Ocean Discovery Program. Researchers found that productivity of Bay of Bengal's waters collapsed during periods of very weak monsoons, such as Heinrich Stadial 1, and very strong monsoons, such as those in early Holocene. Period aka Heinrich Stadial 1, a significantly cold period, occurred btwn 17500 and 15500 yrs ago. The early Holocene, a time marked by rapid warming and sea level rise because of melting glaciers, occurred btwn about 10500 and 9500 yrs ago. The amount of monsoon rainfall controls volume of river discharge. Freshwater significantly changes oceanographic conditions and affects feeding cycle of fish and plankton. When monsoon rains are too intense, a freshwater layer can cap ocean surface, blocking nutrients from below. Without nutrients, plankton growth drops—and with it, entire food chain, incl fish. Weaker monsoons also suppress nutrient delivery by reducing ocean circulation and wind-driven mixing. Both extremes threaten marine resource availability,. These insights can help refine projections and inform sustainable management of fisheries and coastal resources as impacts of climate change accelerate.

🌊 New Article Alert! 🌊 In my latest piece for the Oman Observer, I delve into the significant impact of rising ocean temperatures on the region's marine ecosystems, drawing on recent research from NYU Abu Dhabi and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. One striking finding: fish species in the Arabian Gulf are shrinking by up to 40% due to the increasing heat—a phenomenon that could have profound implications for our fisheries and aquaculture sectors. As we confront the challenges of climate change, it’s essential to explore strategies to protect our marine heritage. From breeding heat-resistant fish to expanding marine protected areas, these steps are not just advisable—they are necessary. The future of Oman’s seas hinges on our ability to innovate and adapt. Now is the time to take action. #ClimateChange #MarineConservation #Oman #Aquaculture #Fisheries #Sustainability #EnvironmentalProtection #Research

CASCADING IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS. Research led by marine biologists from the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) indicates that fish and invertebrate animals are far more affected by warmer and more acidic seawater than was previously known.  For instance, marine snails eat more due to climate change, and sea urchins eat less. Both effects matter and even have cascading effects: turf algae, the food for sea urchins, grow more while the growth of kelp, the food for gastropods, decreases. The difference in feeding in the two invertebrates causes a shift in the ecosystem from a kelp-dominated ecosystem to a turf algae-dominated ecosystem, consequently changing the living environment for all other animals living in this ecosystem. SCIENTIFIC REFERENCE Alter, K. et al. (2024). Hidden impacts of ocean warming and acidification on biological responses of marine animals revealed through meta-analysis. Nature Communications 15: 2885. (First published online: 3 April 2024). https://lnkd.in/gSx7u6fK.

Hydraulic Suitability Index of fish habitats In a study conducted in the #Ohio region of the #UnitedStates, we developed a fully hydraulic index to assess the suitability status of Fish Habitats in the downstream reach of the Grand River watershed. The objective was to demonstrate the extent to which climate change and alterations in precipitation patterns, leading to intensified #flooding, affect the fish habitat index and create unfavorable conditions. This focus is particularly important because fisheries constitute a significant component of the region’s economic, ecological, recreational, and tourism-related activities. Previous #research has demonstrated that climate change, coupled with the increasing magnitude and frequency of floods, is likely to cause substantial degradation of fish habitats in the future. Key #hydraulic variables, including discharge, water depth, and flow velocity, are fundamental controls on habitat sustainability. In this study, the impacts of climate change on fish habitats were evaluated through the development of a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) and the simulation of flow velocity and water depth in the Grand River under multiple climate scenarios for 50- and 100-year return period floods. Results from hydraulic simulations using HECRAS reveal pronounced increases in both depth and velocity in the far future, particularly under high-emission scenarios. For the #RCP 8.5 scenario, the 100-year flood in the far future exhibits increases of 28% in depth, 24% in velocity, and 85% in discharge relative to the baseline period, which collectively lead to a 12% decline in the HSI. By contrast, the low-emission #CMIP6 scenario (SSP126) projects comparatively moderate changes, with depth, velocity, and discharge increasing by 13%, 10%, and 27%, respectively, for the far-future 100-year flood, resulting in only a 5% reduction in HSI and indicating relatively stable habitat conditions. A more detailed spatial analysis of HSI values suggests that primary floodplain channels become increasingly unsuitable under future conditions, especially in high-emission scenarios, while secondary and marginal areas may experience localized improvements under moderate and low emissions. Comparisons of normalized HSI values between future periods and the baseline for both 50- and 100-year floods further confirm a substantial decline in habitat suitability under RCP 8.5 in both near- and far-future horizons, whereas changes under SSP126 remain minimal. Overall, the findings highlight the adverse effects of climate change and intensified flooding on aquatic ecosystems and emphasize the urgent need for proactive water resources management and targeted fish habitat conservation strategies. Consulting Expert: Behzad Sarhadi #Precipitation #ClimateChange #FishHabitat #River #Modeling #Simulation #HECRAS #HECHMS #HSI

With overcapacity in catching power, weak fisheries legislation, the chronic damage of bottom trawling, and virtually no meaningful marine protected areas, the twin impacts of ocean warming and deoxygenated seas now combine to create a perilous future for fisheries and global food supply. A major new study reported by The Guardian finds that chronic ocean heating is driving “staggering” losses of marine life, with fish populations declining sharply as seabed temperatures rise. This is happening now. Climate change is no longer an added pressure. It is a threat multiplier, accelerating the damage caused by decades of poor ocean governance and over-exploitation. Billions of people depend on the ocean for protein and livelihoods. When marine ecosystems weaken, food security weakens. Economic security weakens. Social stability weakens. Actions required are predictable: *Rapid emissions reduction *Stronger, enforceable fisheries management *Meaningful, well-connected marine protected areas *An end to the most destructive fishing practices Chronic warming isn’t just heating the ocean. It is quietly dismantling the life-support system that sustains us and driving deteriorating weather patterns we are all experiencing including where I live, non stop rain! #BlueHeart #OceanHealth #ClimateAction #FoodSecurity #Fisheries #Biodiversity #MarineProtection #Sustainability #ClimateCrisis Chronic ocean heating fuels ‘staggering’ loss of marine life, study finds https://lnkd.in/eWfjXUbi

Extreme heat is destabilizing food security and marine ecosystems, as rising temperatures and heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer, and more intense. #EarlyWarnings and climate services like seasonal outlooks are vital to help us adapt to the new reality. This is highlighted in a new report by the FAO and World Meteorological Organization. Some key takeaways: 🔺 Agricultural yield losses can triple when heat combines with other hazards such as drought and are projected to get much worse as the world warms, threatening livelihoods of many millions. 🔺 Marine heatwaves are projected to cause fish populations to decline more severely and move to new areas. Around 15 percent of fisheries have already been impacted by incidents of extreme heat, leading to economic losses of over $6 billion.   🔺 Agricultural workers are on the frontlines of extreme heat. Worker productivity drops by 2-3 percent for every degree above 20°C. 🔺 Ecosystems supporting food production are nearing critical limits. For every 1°C increase in average global temperatures, we are seeing up to a 6% decrease in yield for the four major crops – maize, rice, soy and wheat – that provide 60% of global calories. #EarthDay To the press release: https://bit.ly/4cqCSGw Access the full report: https://lnkd.in/ePGkruE3

💧 Rivers are shrinking, and Mediterranean fisheries are at risk. A new study led by Joint Research Centre scientists shows that #climatechange is reducing #riverflows into the #Mediterranean, with serious consequences for marine life and the fishing industry. Currently, 20% of Europe faces water shortages every year due to worsening droughts. If global temperatures rise by 4°C above pre-industrial levels, Mediterranean river flow could drop by 41%. This could lead to a 10% decline in marine productivity, a 6% loss in fish biomass, and €4.7 billion in annual losses for fisheries. The most affected areas? The Adriatic and Aegean Seas, home to some of the region’s most important fisheries, where fish losses could exceed current catches. A study highlighting the urgent need for integrated, sustainable water management, considering the entire water cycle from rivers to the sea - an explicit mandate for the new European Commission, who is expected to launch a Water Resilience Initiative as part of its 100 days initiatives. Congratulations to colleagues involved in this work! Read the paper ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dUEn8Wpz Read also our news ⤵️   https://lnkd.in/d3Cycvxg Veronica Manfredi Dr Delilah Al Khudhairy EU Science, Research and Innovation

The impacts of #ClimateChange on the ocean -- from rising water temperatures to acidification and lower oxygen levels -- pose real risks to the future of some of California's most valuable commercial fisheries, including market squid and Dungeness crab. Those are the findings in a newly published new study led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz Insitute of Marine Sciences and the University of California, Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology. "The results are striking," says lead author Timothy Frawley. "Some of California's most economically and culturally important fisheries are among the most vulnerable to projected environmental changes." There is no shortage of warning signs. the path forward is clear. We must act with urgency to transition away from fossil fuels and create a clean-energy economy. https://lnkd.in/g6zd76y4 #fisheries #MarineEcosystems #CoastalCalifornia #ClimateBreakdown #acidification #deoxygenation #SustainableSeafood #fishing #marineLife #CleanEnergy #ActOnClimate #abalone #MarketSquid #DungenessCrab #PacificHerring

🌟Global Warming Strikes Aquaculture Businesses Everywhere in 2024🌟 In 2024 alone, hundreds of aquaculture regions in 72 countries have reported their hottest summer in history, with severe impacts in areas like the Caribbean, South Asia, and Southern Europe. Few incidents are listed below: 🌊 Norway: In August 2024, salmon farms were hit by a marine heatwave that raised water temperatures by 4-5°C above normal. This spike triggered a massive sea lice infestation, with some farms reporting over 4 adult female lice per fish (8-fold higher than the legal limit is 0.5 lice) and earlier stages of lice have been found at rates as high as 15 per fish (5-fold higher than the typical peaks of 2-3), leading to severe operational strain as treatment systems struggled to cope. 💀 Chile: In January 2024, the Aysén region was devastated by a harmful algal bloom (HAB) triggered by water temperature rise, killing 23 million farmed fish (5000 metric tons), with estimated financial impact of $800 million. ⚠️ India: Throughout 2024, rising SSTs have plagued India's coastal shrimp farms, with harmful algal blooms suffocating shrimp ponds, leading to large-scale mortalities and and millions of dollars in losses. The crisis is ongoing. 🐚 Southeast Asia (Vietnam & the Philippines): Mussel and oyster farming in Southeast Asia has suffered due to ocean acidification and rising temperatures. Farms have reported a 25-30% decrease in yield as shellfish struggle to grow and survive in increasingly hostile waters. 🤔 What do you think? Could selective breeding for more heat- and acid-tolerant species, better aquaculture practices, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) be the key climate resilience strategies for building a more sustainable future for the aquaculture industry?