Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Growing evidences predict that with the climate change and the
augmentation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the Pacifi c trade wind
system will tend to decline its intensity (Vecchi et al. 2006, Vecchi and Soden
2007). It was suggested by Bakun and Weeks (2008) that there is a tendency
of less intense El Niño events and also they are becoming more frequent
(Moller et al. 2009). On contrary there are other investigations that proposed
that climate warming will lead to stronger and more frequent Southern
Oscillation events (i.e., Dai et al. 1997, Timmerman et al. 1999, Hansen et
al. 2006). In this context, the future of the fi sheries that are supported by
the Southeast Pacifi c upwelling system is highly uncertain.
The artisanal Shellfi sheries in South America (Chile, Uruguay
and Peru)
In Latin America and the Caribbean, artisanal shellfi sheries constitute
social-ecological systems critically important for thousands of coastal
communities, integrated by vulnerable people who depend upon this
activity (Defeo and Castilla 2012). This economic activity takes place directly
from the shore or deckles boats generating incomes for fi shers and in some
cases, they create export earnings for their countries (Mahon et al. 2003,
Gelcich et al. 2010). The climate change represents a critical stressor for
shellfi sh at multitemporal and spatial scales (Defeo et al. 2009, McCay et
al. 2011, Perry et al. 2011, Defeo et al. 2012).
The interannual (e.g., Sothern Oscillation) and multidecadal (e.g.,
Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation) environmental variability associated with
fi shing and weak governance under open access policies, intensifi es climate-
induced changes on shellfi sh. For example in Peru and Chile, El Niño events
caused the mass mortality of the surf clam
Mesodesma donacium
, which was
exacerbated by unsustainable harvest levels and weak governance (Defeo
and Castilla 2012). As a consequence, in Peru the fi shery was closed in 1999
and the stock has not been recovered yet, probably because the ecosystem
has exceeded critical thresholds (Scheffer et al. 2009). Clam mass mortality
has became a current issue in South America (e.g., Argentina, Uruguay),
mainly due to climate variability. The events are usually attributed
to increase in temperature, harmful algal blooms and parasitism and
generated variations in community composition, simplifi cation of food
webs, introduction of non native species and distributional shifts (Fiori et
al. 2004, Defeo et al. 2009, Beck et al. 2011, Riascos et al. 2011).
As mentioned previously, the interactions between climate change and
fi shing affect the ecosystems and governance structures at different temporal
and spatial scales. In this sense, sustaining shellfi sh resources will require
the implementation of resilient management and governance policies in a
changing world full of uncertainty (Defeo and Castilla 2012).
