Climate change is taking a toll on the fisheries sector with the consequent ocean warming posing multiple threats to the biodiversity, structure and functioning of the ocean ecosystem.

The decline in the availability of fish along the Indian coastline could be attributed to the consequences of global warming and climate change and its impact on the ocean ecosystem, B Madhusoodana Kurup, Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), said.

Various aquaculture practices in inland water bodies of the country have been badly affected by the phenomena, he said while speaking at the 3{+r}{+d} international conference on Global Warming and Food Security in the UAE.

Climate change causes a rise in the sea level, extreme weather events, increased frequency of diseases and toxic events, and uncertain supply of freshwater. The major impacts of a rise in the sea level are on coastal agriculture, tourism, freshwater reserves, fisheries, aquaculture, human settlements, health, biodiversity, damage to the fisheries infrastructure such as landing centres and harbours.

He also called upon policymakers and the authorities to focus on implementing long-term programmes to tackle the issue. The Kerala State Action Plan on Climate Change, a project initiated by the State Government aimed at integrating climate change strategies into the development planning process, is a step towards addressing the issue of climate change, he added.