Fisheries and climate change

New UBC research shows climate change will likely slash worldwide fishing revenues by up to $10 billion by 2050.

Certain species will migrate north as the ocean warms, and changes in oxygen levels and greater ocean salinity and acidity will also continue to reduce fish populations, said lead author Vicky Lam.

Poor countries will be hit hardest. In Canada, fishery revenues could drop by six per cent with the worst impact seen in B.C., where fish catch could decline by 13 per cent by 2050.

“It is necessary to implement better marine resource management plans to increase stock resilience to climate change,” said Lam.

The story appeared on Radio CanadaGlobal News and Metro News Vancouver.