Climate Change and Global Fisheries
By Morgan Bell
Across the world, changes in our climate and oceans are having profound effects on our communities and our natural resources. The fishing industry is facing substantial challenges related to climate change, such as warming waters, ocean acidification, and rising sea levels, that are impacting productivity and species abundance. Globally, marine fisheries support over $85 billion in economic activity and 260 million jobs annually. Fish is crucial to a nutritious diet in many countries. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, fish provides about 3.3 billion people with over 20% of their average per capita intake of animal protein. Fisheries preservation is so important that the UN included protecting our oceans and fisheries in the Sustainable Development Goals. Strong fisheries management and global commitments to fight temperature rise will be the key to safeguarding the fishing industry into the future.
Bottom line, fish are integral to many economies, livelihoods, and global food security and must be protected. So how does climate change threaten the future of fish on this planet and the communities that rely on them?
Warming waters: Fish need a certain water temperature to thrive. As oceans warm, fish are moving elsewhere in search of a habitat that is more suitable for them. Fish migrations are having a negative effect on communities that rely on fish to food and income. For example, New England’s warming waters are pushing cod and other species northward or into deeper waters. Changes in the distribution and abundance of these species have affected where, when, and what can be caught in the region. This has severe economic impacts for communities and seafood businesses that rely on New England fish for income.
Ocean acidification: Coral reefs provide shelter and food for over 25% of the world’s fish species. Ocean acidification is causing coral reefs to die off at high rates, thus destroying critical fish ecosystems. Shellfish are also being negatively impacted by ocean acidification. Lower pH levels means less carbonate on which shellfish rely to build their essential shells. The destruction of these ecosystems threatens the food security of millions who depend on these habitats for nourishment and trade. Regions that rely on their seafood industries, such as the North Pacific, are already seeing high levels of ocean acidification wreak havoc on their local fisheries.
Sea level rise and storms: Most commercially important fish and shellfish depend on coastal waters in some capacity. Rising sea levels and stronger storms are destroying coastal wetlands, thus eliminating healthy fisheries used for food and income as well as natural protections for coastal communities. These phenomena also contribute to fresh water pollution in streams and rivers, which then makes its way into the ocean.
These climate challenges are daunting and scientists say that, without significant changes to GHG emissions and sustainable fishing policies, global fishing stocks will face increasing pressures. So how can the world help offset climate change's negative effects on fisheries? I believe that the answer to this question is to implement effective fisheries management and limit global temperature rise.
Fisheries managers worldwide need to adopt sustainable approaches to secure fish stocks into the future. Due to the migratory nature of most fish, sustainable fishing policies will require international cooperation by governments. Balancing short-term and long-term economic and environmental interests is a significant challenge for many countries. To help combat temperature rise, countries must adhere to the The Paris Climate Agreement framework that limits global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels rather than continuing with the “business as usual” approach.
For years, the fishing industry has been threatened by many non-climate related factors such as overregulation, overfishing, illegal fishing and more recently, a global pandemic. Covid-19 has sent the fishing industry into a tail spin. In New England, fresh fish and shellfish (especially lobster) supply chains have been severely impacted by the closure of food service sectors, whereas fish and fish products that are highly dependent on international trade have suffered from restrictions and closures brought on by the pandemic. Seafood processors have also faced closures because of reduced consumer demand and price cuts brought on by the pandemic. Many local companies and fishermen have been forced to turn to frozen fish options, underutilized species and other innovative solutions to keep themselves afloat. It is still unclear whether the sector will experience a quick or slow recovery after the pandemic ends. Regardless of the outcome, I believe the industry will face long term transformations including, industrial consolidation and development of online services and resources for consumers.
Despite the many obstacles the global fishing industry already faces, climate change has brought new challenges to protecting and conserving fishery habitats and seafood dependent economies. It is up to our leaders to come together and safeguard our valuable marine resources and the revenue, jobs, and communities that depend on them.
Morgan Bell is a rising second-year MALD student studying Global Maritime Affairs and International Environment and Resource Policy.