Seafood from a changing Arctic

Max Troell,John Isaksen,Øystein Hermansen,Anne-Sophie Crépin,Arne Eide

doi:10.1007/s13280-017-0954-2

Abstract

We review current knowledge about climate change impacts on Arctic seafood production. Large-scale changes in the Arctic marine food web can be expected for the next 40–100 years. Possible future trajectories under climate change for Arctic capture fisheries anticipate the movement of aquatic species into new waters and changed the dynamics of existing species. Negative consequences are expected for some fish stocks but others like the Barents Sea cod (Gadus morhua) may instead increase. Arctic aquaculture that constitutes about 2% of global farming is mainly made up of Norwegian salmon (Salmo salar) farming. The sector will face many challenges in a warmer future and some of these are already a reality impacting negatively on salmon growth. Other more indirect effects from climate change are more uncertain with respect to impacts on the economic conditions of Arctic aquaculture.

Highlights

Future climate development predictions indicate that we can expect large-scale changes in the Arctic marine food web the 40–100 years (Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2014)
This review indicates that substantial spatial and temporal variability already characterise these fisheries and climate change will likely exacerbate these
According to IPPC, ‘‘Nations at higher latitudes may benefit from climate change effects on ocean ecosystems, at least initially’’ (IPCC 2014)

Summary

Introduction

Future climate development predictions indicate that we can expect large-scale changes in the Arctic marine food web the 40–100 years (Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2014). Murmansk Regional Government (MRG 2015) reports the Murmansk industrial fishing fleet to have 207 vessels, including 11 extra-large vessels, 11 large vessels, 117 medium-sized vessels and 68 small vessels.4 In addition, there are about 100 vessels of different types active in coastal fisheries5 responsible for landing about 22 000 tonnes of seafood—about 3% of total landings in Murmansk region in 2013 (i.e. 700 000 tonnes; MRG 2015) compared to approximately 450 vessels 10 years ago (Vilhjalmsson and Hoel 2004).

Results

Conclusion