The changing climate and its implications to capture fisheries: A review.

Abstract

Fish contributes about 50% of total animal protein intake in some small islands and other developing states. Fish products provide 15% or more protein consumed by nearly 3 billion people worldwide. Highly important to culture and human welfare, fisheries have often faced the brunt of nature and the impending impacts of overfishing, pollution as well as natural climate variabilities that often arise from extreme events. Although much hyped and vaunted by different sectors as a cash crop, an economic growth booster in rural areas with few other economic activities, the looming threat of climate change may pose a serious set-back to fisheries production. The effects of climate change on marine ecosystems cannot be easily controlled by simple engineering measures. Therefore, a general strategy to conserve these habitats both in quantity and in quality would be an appropriate precautionary adaptation to the effects of climate change. Furthermore, the better the condition of these habitats, the more resilient they will be. Additionally, the greater the area of coastal habitats such as mangroves, sea grasses and reefs that are important for fisheries, the less likely it will be affected to the impact of climate change and destruction of these habitats would contribute to critical condition of fish. The promotion of marine protected areas and environmental conservation thus become a focus of the adaptation strategy. The creation and management of marine protected areas (MPA) is advocated, in recognition of their value in reducing the negative influence of climate change.