Climate change could adversely impact the fish production globally, a latest report by United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) said. The report tilted ?in dead water? said that climate change might slow down the global flow of ocean currents, which flush and clean the continental shelves and are critical to maintaining water quality, nutrient cycling and the life-cycle patterns of fish and other marine life in more than 75% of the world?s fishing grounds.
?The effects in developing countries and small island developing states will be more direct on coastal communities and populations, which depend on marine resources for sustenance and livelihoods,? the report said. It said that developed countries including India, the degradation of traditional fishing grounds would have commercial effects on the fishing industry.
UNEP in a new rapid response report, has, for the first time, mapped the multiple impacts of pollution; alien infestations; over-exploitation and climate change on the seas and oceans.
According to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates, the global annual fish production is around 125 million tonne. Out of this around 30% is contributed by China. India?s fish production has increased from 5.6 million tonne during 2000-2001 to 6.5 million tonne during 2006-2007. India ranks third in fish production behind China and Japan.
The UNEP study, was conducted in collaboration with universities and institutes in Europe and the United States, has found that the number of marine dead zones (oxygen deficient areas) have increased from 149 in 2003 to over 200 in 2006, mostly in coastal areas across the globe. ?These zones are linked with pollution and the projected growth in coastal development, and this number is expected to multiply in a few decades,? the report said.
50 million people could be at risk by 2080 because of climate change and increasing coastal population densities, according to a FAO policy brief on the impact of climate change on fisheries. ?Projections suggest that these combined pressures could result in reef loss and a decline in fish availability for per capita consumption of approximately 15% by 2015,? the FAO paper said.
The UNEP report also found that up to 80% of the world?s primary fish-catch species are exploited beyond or close to there harvesting capacity. Advanced technology combined with subsidies, mean the world?s fishing capacity is 2.5 times more than what could be harvested in a sustainable manner.
While linking fisheries and poverty reduction, the FAO paper had said, ?The sector and its related activities are important for economic output and growth, and employs more than 155 million people worldwide out of which 98% belong to developing countries.?