KOCHI:Climate change is taking a toll on fisheries sector with the consequent ocean warming posing multiple threats to biodiversity, structure and functioning of the ocean ecosystem, said Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) Vice-Chancellor B Madhusoodana Kurup.
He was speaking at a technical session on ‘Impact of Global Warming on Fisheries and Aquaculture: A Threat to Food Security’ at the third International Conference on Global Warming and Food Security organised by the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA) of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah
He said that the reported decline in the availability of fish in Indian coasts could be attributed to the consequences of global warming and climate change and its impact on the ocean ecosystem. “Various aquaculture practices in inland water bodies of the country are badly being affected due to the phenomena,” he added. “Climate change causes sea level rise, extreme weather events, increased frequency of diseases and toxic events and uncertain supplies of freshwater,” he pointed out.The major impacts of sea level rise are on coastal agriculture, tourism, freshwater reserve, fisheries, aquaculture, human settlement, health, biodiversity, damage to fishery infrastructure such as landing centres, harbours, coastal dwelling units, ancillary industries etc, Kurup said.
“Climate change threatens the inherent relationship between food and climate, and damages irreversibly the natural resource base on which fisheries and aquaculture depends,” he added.
Leading academic scientists, researchers and scholars around the world are participating in the international conference on global warming to discuss, exchange and share experiences and research results on global warming and food security.
