Vulnerability of marine fisheries to sea surface temperature and cyclonic events: Evidences across coastal India

Abstract

Increasing sea surface temperature (SST) is one of the primary indicators of climate change that plays a major role in the intensification and formation of climatic disturbances and extremes. This study examined the impact of these factors on marine fisheries in the North Indian Ocean, controlling for regional differences. The findings suggest that there is a significant upward trend in the SST, with high variability across regions. While cyclonic events have intensified over recent decades, the SST has also intensified. Contrary to short-term reports, there is evidence of a reduction in fish catch due to climatic factors over longer periods. We found that the impact of a one-degree increase in SST translates to a reduction in total fish catch close to 9 percent, and for pelagic fish it stands at approximately 13 percent at a 95% confidence level. The cumulative effects of all climatic factors magnified this impact on annual and temporal scales.