Climate change implications for fisheries and aquaculture: overview of
current scientific knowledge.

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 530. Rome, FAO. 2009.
212p.

Abstract  12/28/09
An overview of the current scientific knowledge available on climate change
implications for fisheries and aquaculture is provided through three
technical papers that were presented and discussed during the Expert
Workshop on Climate Change Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Rome,
7-9 April 2008). A summary of the workshop outcomes as well as key messages
on impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and on fisheries- and
aquaculture-based livelihoods are provided in the introduction of this
Technical Paper.

The first paper reviews the physical and ecological impacts of climate
change relevant to marine and inland capture fisheries and aquaculture. The
paper begins with a review of the physical impacts of climate change on
marine and freshwater systems and then connects these changes with observed
effects on fish production processes. It also outlines a series of scenarios
of climate change impacts on fish production and ecosystems through case
studies in different regions and ecosystems.

The second paper tackles the consequences of climate change impacts on
fisheries and their dependent communities. It analyses the exposure,
sensitivity and vulnerability of fisheries to climate change and presents
examples of adaptive mechanisms currently used in the sector. The
contribution of fisheries to greenhouse gas emissions is addressed and
examples of mitigation strategies are given. The role of public policy and
institutions in promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation is also
explored.

Finally, the third paper addresses the impacts of climate change on
aquaculture. It provides an overview of the current food fish and
aquaculture production and a synthesis of existing studies on climate change
effects on aquaculture and fisheries. The paper focuses on the direct and
indirect impacts of climate change on aquaculture, in terms of biodiversity,
fish disease and fishmeal. Contribution of aquaculture to climate change is
addressed (carbon emission and carbon sequestration), as well as possible
adaptation and mitigation measures that could be implemented.  

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/012/i0994e/i0994e.pdf

Report of the FAO Expert Workshop on Climate Change Implications For Fisheries and Aquaculture, Rome, April 7-9, 2008

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/i0203e/i0203e00.pdf