Insight into real-world complexities is required to enable effective response from the aquaculture sector to climate change

Abstract

This study demonstrates how a comprehensive knowledge base can be used by the aquaculture industry, researchers, and policymakers as a foundation for more targeted and detailed climate change impact analysis, risk assessments and adaptation planning. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) production in Norway was used as a case study and to illustrate the need to consider impacts from multiple stressors across different production stages and the wider supply chain. Based on literature searches and industry news, a total of 45 impacts and 101 adaptation responses were identified. Almost all impacts were linked to multiple climate stressors, and many adaptation responses can be used for a range of impacts. Based on the research, a move towards more targeted and detailed assessments is recommended. This can be facilitated through a strong knowledge base, further research to address complexities, and better communication between all stakeholders. The results also demonstrate the need for more climate change research that reflects the challenges that the aquaculture sector faces, where multiple stressors and the range of impacts across production stages and the wider supply chain are included. Highlighting the wide range of stressors, impacts and adaptation responses provides a more holistic understanding of the real-world complexities that aquaculture producers face. This again could facilitate adoption of more effective responses to climate change needed to maintain or increase production sustainably.

Planning and licensing for marine aquaculture

“…112 It may become increasingly important as climate change affects water temperatures and system dynamics, impacting where species can be grown. 113 AZAs, that is, dedicated areas where aquaculture production is prioritised, are a way of incorporating aquaculture into MSP. 91 Defining where a specific activity can take place is an important aspect of MSP, but this must be done systematically, based on evidence of suitable environmental conditions for aquaculture production and dialogue with other resource users and stakeholders.…”

“…For example, it was acknowledged in Norway that many existing marine spatial plans needed to be updated as the suitability of locations for aquaculture had changed due to revised environmental and veterinary regulations, as well as the introduction of new production technologies 112 . It may become increasingly important as climate change affects water temperatures and system dynamics, impacting where species can be grown 113 …”

Law and Sustainable Transitions: An Analysis of Aquaculture Regulation

“…Global consumption of food from the sea is steadily increasing and perceived as a key element of sustainable food production for the future, given emissions from, and a lack of land and water for, agriculture (Costello et al, 2020;European Commission, 2020;Bartley, 2018, FAO, 2022. In recent decades, the aquaculture sector has increasingly been recognized for its essential contribution to global food security and nutrition (FAO, 2022).…”

“…Global consumption of food from the sea is steadily increasing and perceived as a key element of sustainable food production for the future, given emissions from, and a lack of land and water for, agriculture (Costello et al, 2020;European Commission, 2020;Bartley, 2018, FAO, 2022. In recent decades, the aquaculture sector has increasingly been recognized for its essential contribution to global food security and nutrition (FAO, 2022). Yet, aquaculture production is already known to have negative environmental impacts, such as high CO 2 emissions and nutrient discharges (Bohnes et al, 2019;Jiang et al, 2022;Kim et al, 2020;Winther et al, 2020).…”

Influence of Supplemental Dietary Cholesterol on Growth Performance, Indices of Stress, Fillet Pigmentation, and Upper Thermal Tolerance of Female Triploid Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

“…For example, the south coast of Newfoundland experienced an unprecedented heat wave in the summer/fall of 2019 that resulted in the loss of more than 2.6 million Atlantic salmon [6]; and Australian (Tasmanian) cage-sites are already experiencing temperatures as high as 23 °C in combination with severe hypoxia [7], and such conditions are negatively affecting salmon production [8]. There are several strategies that could potentially mitigate (reduce) the effects of climate change on salmon aquaculture production, such as selective breeding, the use of new genetic strains, changes in farm management/fish husbandry practices (i.e., improving site selection and/or the use of deeper nets), and altering feed formulations [4,[9][10][11].…”