ID :
12313
Sat, 07/12/2008 - 14:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/12313
The shortlink copeid
Climate change would have severe impact on fishery sector: UN
New York, Jul 11 (PTI) The effect of climate change on oceans throughout the world will have serious consequences for hundreds of millions of people who depend on fishing for their livelihoods, the United Nations said Friday.
Changes in sea temperatures brought in as a result of warming also alters the body temperatures of aquatic species thereby affecting their metabolism, growth rate, reproduction and susceptibility to diseases and toxins, the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organisation (F.A.O.) said.
Increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as the El Nino phenomenon in the South Pacific, the warming of oceans and movement of warmer-water species towards the North and South Poles are some of the visible effects of climate change, the F.A.O. said, expressing concern for the fishery industry during a seminar on climate change and marine fisheries in Rome.
There has also been an increase in salinity in near-surface waters in warmer regions, while increased precipitation and melting of ice in cooler areas facilitate the opposite. In addition, the oceans are becoming more acidic with probable negative consequences for coral reef and other calcium-bearing organisms, F.A.O. said.
Fishing communities in higher altitudes, as well as thoserelying on coral reef systems, will be most exposed to the impact of climate change, the U.N. food agency said, adding that fisheries in deltas and ice-dominated coasts will be more vulnerable to flooding and erosion due to rise in sea level.
According to statistics available with F.A.O., some 42 million people work directly in the fishing sector, the great majority of them in developing countries.
Counting in those who work in processing, supply, marketing and distribution, the fishing industry supports several hundred million jobs.
Aquatic foods have high nutritional quality, contributing 20 percent or more of average per capita animal protein intake for more than 2.8 billion people, again mostly in developing countries.
Fish is also the most widely traded foodstuff in the world and a key source of export earnings for many countries. The sector has particular significance for small island states.
Changes in sea temperatures brought in as a result of warming also alters the body temperatures of aquatic species thereby affecting their metabolism, growth rate, reproduction and susceptibility to diseases and toxins, the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organisation (F.A.O.) said.
Increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as the El Nino phenomenon in the South Pacific, the warming of oceans and movement of warmer-water species towards the North and South Poles are some of the visible effects of climate change, the F.A.O. said, expressing concern for the fishery industry during a seminar on climate change and marine fisheries in Rome.
There has also been an increase in salinity in near-surface waters in warmer regions, while increased precipitation and melting of ice in cooler areas facilitate the opposite. In addition, the oceans are becoming more acidic with probable negative consequences for coral reef and other calcium-bearing organisms, F.A.O. said.
Fishing communities in higher altitudes, as well as thoserelying on coral reef systems, will be most exposed to the impact of climate change, the U.N. food agency said, adding that fisheries in deltas and ice-dominated coasts will be more vulnerable to flooding and erosion due to rise in sea level.
According to statistics available with F.A.O., some 42 million people work directly in the fishing sector, the great majority of them in developing countries.
Counting in those who work in processing, supply, marketing and distribution, the fishing industry supports several hundred million jobs.
Aquatic foods have high nutritional quality, contributing 20 percent or more of average per capita animal protein intake for more than 2.8 billion people, again mostly in developing countries.
Fish is also the most widely traded foodstuff in the world and a key source of export earnings for many countries. The sector has particular significance for small island states.
