Nature Publication: Climate, Food Security And The Pacific

Nature Publication: Climate, Food Security And The Pacific

A paper published in Nature Climate Change today (Monday 11 March) explores the challenges Pacific nations face to maintain the benefits of their fish resources as the climate changes.

Food security is a big issue across much of the Pacific, where the productivity of coastal fish stocks is not expected to meet the demands of rapidly growing populations.

The problem is compounded because some coral reef fish are under threat from climate change.

Lead author of the paper is Dr Johann Bell, a Principal Fisheries Scientist with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in Noumea.

Dr Bell says changes to the atmosphere–ocean are likely to affect the food webs, habitats and stocks underpinning fisheries and aquaculture across the region.

“We found winners and losers. The core area of skipjack tuna abundance is likely to move progressively eastwards, and freshwater aquaculture and fisheries in Melanesia are likely to be more productive,” Dr Bell says.

Coral reefs are expected to be degraded by more frequent bleaching and ocean acidification.

“The knock-on effects are likely to be decreases in reef fish, which will pose a serious problem for people who depend on fish for food,” says Dr Bell.

Higher seawater temperatures and a more acidic ocean are also likely to reduce the efficiency of mariculture (coastal aquaculture).

The paper, Mixed responses of tropical Pacific fisheries and aquaculture to climate change, proposes actions to allow Pacific Island nations to minimise the risks and maximize opportunities.

The paper sets out how Pacific nations can address the economic and social implications of climate change and population growth for food security.

“Some of the solutions can be found within the sector—tuna and freshwater aquaculture can help support expanding populations as coral reefs, coastal fisheries and mariculture decline,” Dr Bell says.

For more information:
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community: http://www.spc.int/en/

ENDS

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