Global fisheries must brace for climate change - UN report
Over 500m people worldwide depend on fishing sector:
The distribution of marine and freshwater species is already
being
affected by climate change
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The fishing industry and government authorities must plan ahead to
deal with the impact of climate change on fisheries worldwide, according
to a new United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report.
Responsible practices must be put into place more widely and
management plans should include strategies for dealing with global
warming, according to the FAO publication, entitled "The State of World
Fisheries and Aquaculture" (SOFIA). Communities that rely heavily on
fishing for their income will face serious challenges if fewer fish are
available, with developing countries earning almost $25 billion annually
in fish exports. The report estimated that more than 500 million people
worldwide depend on the fishing sector.
The distribution of marine and freshwater species is already being
affected by climate change, with warmer-water species being pushed
towards the poles and changing in habitat size and productivity.
Biological processes are also being impacted, which has consequences for
fish production, warned the report.
Kevern Cochrane, one of the report's authors, said that the message
to fishers and authorities is clear: "Get in line with current best
practices, like those contained in FAO's Code for Responsible Fisheries,
and you've already taken important strides towards mitigating the
effects of climate change." He cautioned that many fisheries are already
being exploited at maximum productive capacity.
"When you look at the impact that climate change might have on ocean
ecosystems, that raises concerns as to how they'll hold up," said
Cochrane. The issues covered by SOFIA will be discussed by
representatives from over 80 countries who are gathering at the FAO
Headquarters in Rome for the 28th session of the Committee on Fisheries.
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