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Climate change and the fishing industry in belize

Climate change and the fishing industry in belize. By Ken Young. About the fishing industry. Capture Fisheries: areas for catching wild fish, such as spiny lobster, queen conch, white shrimp, groupers, snappers, and mackerel

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Climate change and the fishing industry in belize

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  1. Climate change and the fishing industry in belize By Ken Young

  2. About the fishing industry • Capture Fisheries: areas for catching wild fish, such as spiny lobster, queen conch, white shrimp, groupers, snappers, and mackerel • Aquaculture: in Belize, this consists of ten shrimp farms and two tilapia/cobia farms • Freshwater inland fisheries: mostly inland river fishing at the subsistence level; a negligible part of the economy

  3. Capture Fishery

  4. Shrimp farm

  5. Importance of Fishing • 9.2 tons of fish exported in 2005 (compare: 3,070,000 tons exported from US per year) • 29% of export revenue in 2003 (compare: ~0.7% of US export revenue) • Employs 26% of the work force (compare: ~0.06% of US workforce) • Fish provides 27% of dietary protein to developing coastal countries (compare: about 13% in developed countries)

  6. Warmer sea surface temperature • A direct effect of rising global temperatures • Leads to coral bleaching and mortality • Loss of coral leads to diminished habitat and nutrient streams for fish species • Harmful algal blooms killing fish • Reefs act as a buffer for coastal villages, so increased damage from waves and storms reduces ability to fish

  7. Coral bleaching

  8. Ocean Acidification • Due to dissolved CO2 in the water • Weakens ability of coral to deposit a limestone skeleton, so growth and maintenance is reduced • Reduced levels of calcium carbonate make it difficult for key species to form skeletons and shells • Potentially affects physiological health and reproductive ability of fish

  9. Sea level rise • Due to thermal expansion and glacier melt • Mangroves, sea grasses and reefs become less-effective spawning and nursery habitats for many fish’ • Increases coastal erosion • Exacerbates storm surges and flooding

  10. Flooded mangrove

  11. Extreme weather events • Primarily hurricanes and tropical storms • Increased damage to coastal villages and aquaculture facilities • Destroys mangroves, increases coastal erosion and sedimentation, damaging important habitats • During Hurricane Hattie in 1981, 40% of the buildings in Belize City were completely destroyed, and another 25-35% were severely damaged

  12. Hurricane hattie

  13. Adaptation Strategies • Careful monitoring of water quality (salinity, dissolved gasses, temperature) • Preservation and restoration of mangrove, reef, sea grass and other marine ecosystems • Training of farmers on water quality management • Institution of water conservation measures • Investment in improved aquaculture facilities

  14. More adaptation strategies • A planned approach to aquaculture development, including zoning areas for shrimp farming • Fishery and aquaculture activities expanded to stabilize seafood usage with new species • Inland relocation of production infrastructure • Development of credible research programs, relevant policy prescriptions, and a communication strategy

  15. Bibliography • http://www.undp.org/content/dam/belize/docs/UNDP%20BZ%20Publications/Belize-and-Climate-Change-The-Costs-of-Inaction.pdf • http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/blznc2.pdf • http://www.caricom-fisheries.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=v7OOgjEGBZU%3D&tabid=233 • http://www.uba.ar/cambioclimatico/download/Allison%20et%20al%202009.pdf • http://biology.duke.edu/bio217/2001/sealevel/page5.html

  16. Bibliography • http://www.unep.org/pdf/indeadwater_lr.pdf • http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452h39h81961.pdf • ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/fcp/en/FI_CP_US.pdf • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook//rankorder/2095rank.html

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