If aquaculture is truly the future of seafood supply to the world, it makes sense now to study the potential impacts of climate change on seafood farming, according to a new report produced by nonprofit research group WorldFish.
The group, which studies the role of fishing and aquaculture in fighting poverty worldwide, issued the paper, Climate Change and Aquatic Animal Disease, to the United Nations climate talks.
“4.5 billion people get at least 15 percent of their average per capita intake of animal protein from fish,” said Stephen Hall, director general of WorldFish. “And given that projections suggest that farming of fish will have to double to meet future demand, it is imperative that we gain a better understanding of how climate change will impact the farming of this valuable food crop that has such an important bearing on future global food security.”
The paper discusses how changing water temperatures may affect aquaculture production due to various factors, including disease and salinity. The paper calls for developing improved biosecurity, along with “a holistic approach which considers all forms of agriculture in order that the most climate smart systems can be recommended.”
