Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Arctic at an alarming rate. The breeding population of chin-
strap penguins has declined significantly as Antarctic temper-
atures have warmed. Two of the three chief penguin species in
the Antarctic Peninsula—chinstrap and Adélie—are declin-
ing in a region where the temperatures over the last 60 years
have warmed by 3
o
C (5
o
F). In contrast, Gentoo penguins are
expanding both in numbers and in range.
Fish can respond to changes in ocean temperature by mov-
ing poleward to avoid warmer temperatures, or moving into
deeper water. As water warms, fishermen are finding some
new species that come from warmer regions. A 2009 report
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
Northeast Fisheries Science Center found that about half of
the species it studied were shifting their range further north
or into deeper colder water, including Atlantic cod, haddock,
and hake—keystones of New England's ground fishery. The
commercial lobster fishery is disappearing in southern New
England. If animals cannot change their geographic or depth
distribution, there may be changes in growth, reproduction,
and mortality rates. Warmer water may lead to loss of produc-
tivity, but also to the opening of new fishing opportunities,
depending on interactions between climate impacts, fishing
grounds and fishing fleets.
Can climate change have effects on aquaculture?
Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in the world,
according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), with most of the production coming from the develop-
ing world, where it makes a major contribution to the economy.
Currently about half the world's seafood comes from aqua-
culture, and the proportion is expected to grow. Traditional
fisheries are thought to be near their maximum capacity and
future increases in seafood production will need to come
largely from aquaculture. Animals can grow faster in warmer
water provided they have enough food, which could be a
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