Climate Change would increase ocean acidity, cause re-distribution of aquatic species -Study

Climate Change is a global phenomenon that is reshaping our world.

This phenomenon has drawn attention of governments across the world as a phenomenon that is crashing on all and must be deliberately addressed together.

The recent flooding in some parts of the world, desertification and melting ice from the north pole are just the little physical pointers and symptoms of a deeper phenomenon that may be more catastrophic.

The profound climate change impact on the oceans and marine life are real and the effects are changing the distribution of fish stocks and their food.

Balancing economic and environmental priorities is now even more important to keep the oceans healthy and full of fish for the future.

Climate Change and the oceans

According to studies, the oceans play a major role in climate dynamics: 83% of the global carbon cycle is circulated through the oceans. They have absorbed 93% of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions since the 1970s according to https://www.msc.org

Meanwhile, the oceans are said to be home to between 500,000 and 10 million marine species, contributing enormously to the biodiversity of the planet.

When the oceans are affected, millions of aquatic lives they sustain are endangered and by extension, mankind is endangered in various ways starting from health and economics.

According to further studies, marine heatwaves are estimated to have increased by more than 50% since 1993 and this is worrisome as ocean temperatures are predicted to increase by 1-4°C by 2100.

When ocean temperatures increase, acidity of the ocean increases and marine lives are on the receiving end. Of course adaptation would take place within the fittest of species who would compete to survive. New distribution of fishes would take place while many species must relocate for survival and the ecosystem would be altered-a catastrophy of sort. All these would take their effects on the human lives and economies as well.

Effects of climate change on fishing

As much as climate change affects fishing, it is opening new opportunities. This happens with the re-distribution of aquatic lives through migration to safer havens. The tropics may benefit from this exodus.

Some places in the topics according to forecasts may see declines of up to 40% in potential seafood catch by 2050 while some areas in the the North Atlantic and North Pacific, are seeing increases in the range of some fish species. This is an example of the re-distribution to take place.

This implies new methods of fishing must be adopted because as marine creatures move across international boundaries in their adaptation and survival strategies, humans must not stay fixated on a particular style. Some fish species for instance native to certain areas may be re-distributed and fishers may get worried if they don’t have advance education.

Meanwhile, relevant stakeholders in the fishing industry must also agree on fishing regulations which must be gazetted as international rules. This is a way to protect some species and give time for necessary adaptation as marine organisms respond to climate change. This order would ensure aquatic animals are harvested sustainably.

Climate change, government’s sandfilling activities versus Lagos fishing communities

Back home in Nigeria along the Lagos lagoon, government efforts in sandfilling parts of the lagoon around Makoko waterfronts from where housing estates would soon emerge, has been a major worry to the fishing communities.

Fishers who recently talked with Animal Times Africa, expressed worry on the effects of the Lagos State Government’s actions.

According to many, sandfilling would mean that fishes would move further inward into the lagoon which would be difficult to access for smaller vessels.

While the climate change phenomenon is beating the local fishing community on one end, the government activity of sandfilling is also beating the community on the other end.

The government must as a matter of urgency wade into the crisis to save the already poor fishers suffering the double jeopardy.

Story by Dayo Emmanuel with Agency Report