Newswise — A groundbreaking study has revealed that numerous major aquatic food producers worldwide face significant susceptibility to environmental changes caused by human activities. The study identified Asia, Latin America, and Africa as regions with the highest risk, where countries exhibit the lowest levels of adaptability.
According to the study, over 90% of global "blue" food production, encompassing both capture fisheries and aquaculture, is at significant risk due to environmental changes. The study highlights that numerous prominent countries in Asia and the United States are poised to encounter the most substantial threats to their production capabilities.
The authors of the recent paper conducted the world's inaugural comprehensive analysis of environmental stressors affecting the quantity and safety of blue foods worldwide. For the first time, countries were ranked based on their vulnerability to significant stressors. The study examined a total of 17 stressors, which included factors such as algal blooms, sea level rise, fluctuating temperatures, and pesticide exposure.
Ben Halpern, the co-lead author of the study and a professor at UC Santa Barbara, as well as the director of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, emphasized that environmental stressors disregard national boundaries. He pointed out that stressors can be transported through air, water, species, and human activities, establishing connections between land and sea, as well as different ecosystems.
One of the seven scientific papers published by the Blue Food Assessment (BFA), titled "Vulnerability of Blue Foods to Human-induced Environmental Change," has been featured in Nature Sustainability. This research contributes to a global initiative aimed at enhancing our understanding of aquatic food sustainability for the future.
In addition to climate change, the report underscores that highly susceptible blue food production systems exist on every continent, encompassing major blue food producers like Norway, China, and the United States. However, the report also emphasizes a prevalent lack of comprehension regarding the intricate nature of stressors responsible for environmental changes.
Ling Cao, co-lead author and professor at Xiamen University's State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, remarked, "Our current understanding of the interconnections among environmental stressors and their detrimental effects on the production and safety of blue foods is merely superficial." This statement emphasizes the need for further exploration and comprehension in this field.
She emphasized the importance of comprehending the complexity of these stressors and their far-reaching consequences, stating that such understanding is crucial for the development of effective strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
The paper identified species invasion, inland eutrophication or algal blooms, ocean warming, and sea level rise as the primary threats to blue food production in the United States. It emphasized that both freshwater and marine fisheries encounter notably higher risks compared to other sectors.
According to the research, China, being the largest producer of blue food, faces significant exposure to inland eutrophication and severe weather events, particularly impacting its freshwater aquaculture sector.
The authors further contend that specific focus should be directed towards countries that experience substantial exposure to environmental changes but lack sufficient adaptive capacity. This includes nations like Bangladesh, Eswatini, Guatemala, Honduras, and Uganda, which require particular attention and support.
Regarding production systems, the paper reveals that marine fisheries tend to exhibit higher vulnerability to climate-related stressors, such as increasing temperatures and acidification. On the other hand, aquaculture demonstrates greater susceptibility to the impacts of diseases and hypoxia, which refers to low oxygen levels.
Rebecca Short, co-lead author and researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, emphasized the urgency of addressing the underdeveloped state of adaptation strategies for blue food systems grappling with environmental changes. While acknowledging some progress in the realm of climate change, she stressed the need for immediate attention to enhance these strategies.
One of the crucial recommendations outlined in the report is the necessity for increased transboundary collaboration and the implementation of adaptation strategies. The report underscores the interconnected nature of the ecosystems on which blue food production depends, emphasizing that environmental changes in one region can have ripple effects in other areas. Recognizing this interconnectivity is vital for effective adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The authors also advocate for the diversification of blue food production in high-risk countries as a means to address the impacts of environmental change, unless adequate mitigation and adaptation strategies are implemented. The call for diversification aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of food production systems in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Similarly, the paper emphasizes the pressing requirement for increased stakeholder engagement in comprehending, monitoring, and mitigating pressures on blue food production systems. The integration of indigenous knowledge is deemed crucial for strategic planning and the formulation of policies aimed at mitigating and adapting to environmental change. This is particularly important for artisanal fisheries and countries heavily reliant on marine fisheries, such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The research also incorporates an extensive dataset that ranks countries worldwide according to the exposure of their blue food production systems to diverse environmental stressors. This dataset provides valuable insights into the relative vulnerability of different countries in relation to their blue food production.
RSS