A report by trade body Seafish claims that higher emissions in coming years will bring consequences for the seafood industry.
The report, titled Climate change risk adaptation in UK seafood: Understanding and responding to a changing climate in the wild capture seafood industry, detailed that climate change was a “priority concern” for customers and consumers, as it creates “reputational impacts amongst outlets” and impacts consumer attitudes. Seafish said this was as NGOs continue to “seek influence over dietary choices and recommendations”.
The primary focus of the report is on climate-related impacts for species groups relevant to the UK market, sourced from home and abroad. Seafish said that higher emissions will “undoubtedly bring greater consequences” for the seafood industry through changes in sea levels, in storms and waves, air and water temperature, ocean acidification and terrestrial rainfall.
Dr Angus Garrett, who helped produce the report from Seafish, explained how the report could help the sector adapt to future climate-related challenges: “With a warming world there are changes afoot in fisheries with impacts right along seafood supply chains. The extent of future warming remains an open question, but being prepared for potential changes is within our grasp. This report hopefully contributes to that preparation.”
Seafish said it was hoped that the research would “provide the seafood industry with a starting point for adapting to a changing climate” by both reviewing projected impacts for seafood and identifying potential future responses.
Around 30 seafood stakeholders engaged with the research process, which was conducted over 2022 and 2023, sharing a range of data and opinions. Dr John Pinnegar (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, CEFAS), Dr Tara Marshall and Dr Julia Wouters (Aberdeen University) also produced the report alongside Garrett.
Seafish said the report argues that the world is “undoubtedly warming” but agreement on just how warm it’s likely to get is still open to debate.
