The term “Anthropocene” has become ubiquitous within debates on the future of international environmental law. While contested, it can generally be understood to refer to the fundamental idea that the world has entered a new era in which human activities, more than any other factor, are the driving force for change within the Earth system. This concept has inspired a rethinking of traditional international environmental law in line with the challenges that are expected to result from human-induced environmental impacts. This article explores how the Anthropocene will challenge international fisheries law and how understanding the role of regime interaction as a central characteristic of international law will be a necessary part of addressing these challenges. In order to determine what might be said to constitute Anthropocene conditions the article explores the effects of human activities on two core planetary boundaries, climate change and biosphere integrity, in the context of the world’s oceans. Through examining the human-induced threats to these boundaries, common themes of uncertainty, instability and inequality within the Anthropocene ocean are identified, highlighting broadly the ways in which the current international fisheries legal regime alone is inadequate to achieve its goals in the Anthropocene context. This article proposes that enhanced regime interaction, between related regimes such as international fisheries law, international climate change law and international biodiversity law could allow international fisheries law to be more readily able to meet the uncertain, unstable and unequal Anthropocene context.
Continue reading ‘Uncertain, unstable and unequal: can regime interaction help international fisheries law address anthropocene challenges?’Posts Tagged 'socio-economy'
Uncertain, unstable and unequal: can regime interaction help international fisheries law address anthropocene challenges?
Published 10 May 2024 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, policy, socio-economy
Climate change effects on aquaculture production and its sustainable management through climate-resilient adaptation strategies: a review
Published 24 April 2024 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, policy, review, socio-economy
Aquaculture witnessed a remarkable growth as one of the fastest-expanding sector in the food production industry; however, it faces serious threat from the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Understanding this threat, the present review explores the consequences of climate change on aquaculture production and provides need based strategies for its sustainable management, with a particular emphasis on climate-resilient approaches. The study examines the multi-dimensional impacts of climate change on aquaculture which includes the shifts in water temperature, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, extreme weather events, and alterations in ecological dynamics. The review subsequently investigates innovative scientific interventions and climate-resilient aquaculture strategies aimed at strengthening the adaptive capacity of aquaculture practices. Some widely established solutions include selective breeding, species diversification, incorporation of ecosystem-based management practices, and the implementation of sustainable and advanced aquaculture systems (aquaponics and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). These strategies work towards fortifying aquaculture systems against climate-induced disturbances, thereby mitigating risks and ensuring sustained production. This review provides a detailed insight to the ongoing discourse on climate-resilient aquaculture, emphasizing an immediate need for prudent measures to secure the future sustainability of fish food production sector.
Continue reading ‘Climate change effects on aquaculture production and its sustainable management through climate-resilient adaptation strategies: a review’Social–ecological vulnerability and risk of China’s marine capture fisheries to climate change
Published 16 April 2024 Science ClosedTags: fish, fisheries, socio-economy
Significance
Climate change is a mounting threat to China’s marine fisheries, which account for nearly one-sixth of the world’s catch but face declines in fish stock abundance and complex management issues. In this interdisciplinary assessment of climate risk, we find intense fishing and other pressures over decades have selected for more climate resilient fishery species. However, less adaptive species—critical both socially and ecologically within China and beyond—are at risk. By linking ecological vulnerabilities to anthropogenic pressures, we reveal regional disparities in social vulnerability and common adaptation challenges across the country. Our study demonstrates the key ecological, social, and governance factors driving climate vulnerability and offers lessons that can help other regions identify targeted adaptation solutions to enhance fisheries resilience.
Abstract
Climate change is a new disrupter to global fisheries systems and their governance frameworks. It poses a pressing management challenge, particularly in China, which is renowned as the world’s largest fishing country and seafood producer. As climate change continues to intensify in the region and climate awareness grows within the country’s national policy, the need to understand China’s fisheries’ resilience to the escalating climate crisis becomes paramount. In this study, we conduct an interdisciplinary analysis to assess the vulnerability and risk of China’s marine capture fisheries in response to climate change. This study employs a spatially explicit, indicator-based approach with a coupled social–ecological framework, focusing on 67 species and 11 coastal regions. By integrating diverse sets of climatic, ecological, economic, societal, and governance indicators and information, we elucidate the factors that could hinder climate adaptation, including a limited understanding of fish early life stages, uncertainty in seafood production, unequal allocation and accessibility of resources, and inadequate consideration of inclusive governance and adaptive management. Our results show that species, which have managed to survive the stress of overfishing, demonstrate a remarkable ability to adapt to climate change. However, collapsing stocks such as large yellow croaker face a high risk due to the synergistic effects of inherent biological traits and external management interventions. We emphasize the imperative to build institutional, scientific, and social capacity to support fisheries adaptation. The scientific insights provided by this study can inform fisheries management decisions and promote the operationalization of climate-resilient fisheries in China and other regions.
Continue reading ‘Social–ecological vulnerability and risk of China’s marine capture fisheries to climate change’The prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiome of Pacific oyster spat is shaped by ocean warming but not acidification
Published 28 March 2024 Science ClosedTags: biological response, mollusks, multiple factors, prokaryotes, socio-economy, temperature
Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas, a.k.a. Crassostrea gigas), the most widely farmed oysters, are under threat from climate change and emerging pathogens. In part, their resilience may be affected by their microbiome, which, in turn, may be influenced by ocean warming and acidification. To understand these impacts, we exposed early-development Pacific oyster spat to different temperatures (18°C and 24°C) and pCO2 levels (800, 1,600, and 2,800 µatm) in a fully crossed design for 3 weeks. Under all conditions, the microbiome changed over time, with a large decrease in the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic ciliates (Uronema marinum) in all treatments with time. The microbiome composition differed significantly with temperature, but not acidification, indicating that Pacific oyster spat microbiomes can be altered by ocean warming but is resilient to ocean acidification in our experiments. Microbial taxa differed in relative abundance with temperature, implying different adaptive strategies and ecological specializations among microorganisms. Additionally, a small proportion (~0.2% of the total taxa) of the relatively abundant microbial taxa were core constituents (>50% occurrence among samples) across different temperatures, pCO2 levels, or time. Some taxa, including A4b bacteria and members of the family Saprospiraceae in the phyla Chloroflexi (syn. Chloroflexota) and Bacteroidetes (syn. Bacteroidota), respectively, as well as protists in the genera Labyrinthula and Aplanochytrium in the class Labyrinthulomycetes, and Pseudoperkinsus tapetis in the class Ichthyosporea were core constituents across temperatures, pCO2 levels, and time, suggesting that they play an important, albeit unknown, role in maintaining the structural and functional stability of the Pacific oyster spat microbiome in response to ocean warming and acidification. These findings highlight the flexibility of the spat microbiome to environmental changes.
Continue reading ‘The prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiome of Pacific oyster spat is shaped by ocean warming but not acidification’Attributions of cause of oyster mortality on the British Columbia coast: oyster growers’ and scientists’ perspectives
Published 13 March 2024 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, North Pacific, socio-economy
Highlights
- Unexplained oyster mass mortalities threaten Canadian west coast shellfish industry.
- Expert elicitation yielded calibrated judgement of causes of oyster mass mortalities.
- Scientists and oyster growers have low agreement about causative factor groups.
- Risk communication can highlight differing opinions and clarify misconceptions.
Abstract
Unexplained oyster mass mortalities threaten to destabilize the oyster industry on Canada’s west coast if left unexplored. A range of potentially causative factors have been identified by the industry and the scientific community but the effects and magnitudes of these factors on oyster mortality risks remain unknown. Through a structured expert elicitation questionnaire, this study presents industry and scientific experts’ calibrated judgements of cause of this multifactorial problem. We document low agreement among scientists and oyster growers with regards to important causative groups of factors. There is some agreement that factors like water temperature, seasonality, bacterial pathogens, affect oysters suspended in water and reared in trays, particularly if they are large oysters. However, both scientists and growers harbored differing views about the age and size of oysters susceptible to mass mortalities and the role of food availability and gametogenesis in contributing to mass mortalities. We discuss potential sources of these differing opinions and misconceptions. Our findings also highlight the need for additional research to resolve some of the uncertainty in experts’ perceptions of cause. Risk communication efforts in the future should focus on these differing perspectives to work toward mutually viable decisions and solutions.
Continue reading ‘Attributions of cause of oyster mortality on the British Columbia coast: oyster growers’ and scientists’ perspectives’Evaluating the values and limitations for coral and oyster reefs in coastal disaster risk reduction: a literature review
Published 12 March 2024 Science ClosedTags: mitigation, review, socio-economy
Previous researchers have made efforts to link the limitations and values of coral and oyster reefs to coastal defence. However, given the context in which reef ecosystems interact with changing climate and human behaviours, synthesising the available information is necessary to know the status and actions needed to improve the situation. To comprehend and advance this field, we used a detailed review approach to examine 84 relevant previous papers to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing state of knowledge of the values and limitations of coral and oyster reefs in coastal disaster risk reduction. The results show that the literature on the economic valuation of oyster reefs in coastal disaster risk reduction is in its infancy and therefore needs more attention. Due to the lower threshold of environmental tolerance of corals, the ongoing and projected global warming circumstances will put coral reefs more at risk than oyster reefs. The severity of the associated consequences for humans will depend on socioeconomic disparity and poor governance among coastal communities. Individuals who rely on climate-susceptible livelihoods will suffer the most. The authors recommend collaborative studies involving local governments to investigate the possibility of making payment for the services of these organisms a requirement for living near them. Additionally, simulation and modelling studies on the reactions of corals and oyster reefs to short, medium, and long-term projected climate change and human influences are necessary.
Continue reading ‘Evaluating the values and limitations for coral and oyster reefs in coastal disaster risk reduction: a literature review’Policy analysis of coastal-based special economic zone development using system dynamics
Published 28 February 2024 Science ClosedTags: modeling, policy, regionalmodeling, socio-economy, South Pacific
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development is becoming a preferable policy by the Indonesian government to boost economic growth in less-developed local regions. This is because of the promise that SEZ could attract investment and job creation based on local competitive commodities. One of these areas is Bitung SEZ, North Sulawesi – Indonesia, a coastal-based SEZ, as its strategic position for logistics, fishery resources, and coconut plantation. To explore the promise of growth proposed by developing SEZ in Bitung, we developed a Systems Dynamics model of the interaction between economic growth, social development, and environmental impacts. Based on the model understanding and development, we identified three factors the Indonesian government should improve: coconut plantation productivity, fisheries ship management, and education index. With these three factors in mind, several policy options were tested in the model, resulting in a more substantial impact than the business-as-usual condition.
Changes in corrosion behaviour of zinc and aluminium coatings with increasing seawater acidification
Published 16 February 2024 Science ClosedTags: chemistry, laboratory, socio-economy
The increase in greenhouse gas emissions has led to seawater acidification, increasing the corrosion rate of metal structures in marine applications. This paper indicates that the spraying of four types of coatings, namely Zn, Al, Zn-Al, and Al-Mg, using the arc-spraying technique on steel substrate S235JR, creates effective protective coatings that interact differently with various pH solutions exposed to varying levels of seawater acidification. The study analyses the structural properties of the coating materials using SEM and XRD techniques. Electrochemical parameters are evaluated in solutions with different pH and salinity levels. The results demonstrate that alloy metallic coatings provide excellent resistance to corrosion in low-pH solutions.
Continue reading ‘Changes in corrosion behaviour of zinc and aluminium coatings with increasing seawater acidification’Extinction risk of the world’s chondrichthyan fishes: a global assessment of the interplay between anthropogenic factors and marine protected areas
Published 15 January 2024 Science ClosedTags: abundance, biological response, community composition, fish, fisheries, globalmodeling, modeling, otherprocess, socio-economy
Patterns of Chondrichthyes species richness (CSR) are widely recognized as being influenced by environmental conditions. However, untangling the intricate interplay between anthropogenic impacts and spatial patterns of CSR remains a challenging endeavor. In this study, we evaluate the influence of thirteen human-related variables, encompassing human-induced effects and marine protected areas, on global CSR. Additionally, we explore their effects on threatened species, those declining, those utilized and traded, and those facing direct human-induced threats. Utilizing simple, multiple, and simultaneous regression models, we comprehensively investigated the relationship between human-altered variables and marine protected areas on CSR across oceanic regions. Our findings distinctly reveal a compelling convergence of human-related variables with CSR. Notably, factors such as global ocean acidification, demersal destructive practices (e.g., bottom trawling), pelagic low bycatch techniques (e.g., hook and line), and demersal non-destructive high bycatch methods (e.g., pots, traps) exhibit robust negative associations. Intriguingly, a positive association emerges with the presence of marine protected areas. Furthermore, our study underscores the profound impact of diverse human activities on CSR, significantly heightening their vulnerability to threats and imminent extinction risks. These results accentuate the critical significance of conservation strategies centered on marine protected areas, maximizing the optimized preservation of Chondrichthyes across marine ecosystems. In light of these insights, we stress the paramount role of planners and managers in mitigating direct human impacts on marine ecosystems, which is crucial for ensuring the enduring presence of Chondrichthyes across the oceans.
Continue reading ‘Extinction risk of the world’s chondrichthyan fishes: a global assessment of the interplay between anthropogenic factors and marine protected areas’Media representations and farmer perceptions: a case study of reporting on ocean acidification and the shellfish farming sector in British Columbia, Canada
Published 30 November 2023 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, North Pacific, socio-economy
Ocean Acidification (OA) creates corrosive conditions that impact organisms that produce calcium carbonate shells, such as clams and oysters. The Salish Sea, a body of water where much of British Columbia’s shellfish farming sector operates, has been growing more corrosive. We present a case study of reporting on OA and the shellfish farming sector in British Columbia, Canada. We convey results from a survey with shellfish farmers and a thematic analysis that sought to understand how the science and local implications of OA were presented in a sample of media articles. All articles employed narratives of crisis, and slightly over 75% conveyed scientific uncertainty. Just over 55% incorporated interviews with one or more of scientists, shellfish sector representatives, and shellfish farmers. Survey findings reveal that respondents saw OA as a threat but often deprioritized it relative to a wider range of operational challenges. We introduce “situatedness” and draw in ideas from “solutions journalism” to expand. While telling stories about people and places is important, we conclude that new opportunities for locally salient climate change reporting stand to be unlocked by looking beyond boundaries typically drawn around “the local” and the sorts of credentials typically ascribed to “environmental experts”.
Continue reading ‘Media representations and farmer perceptions: a case study of reporting on ocean acidification and the shellfish farming sector in British Columbia, Canada’Code Blue: our oceans in crisis
Published 23 November 2023 Newsletters and reports , Science ClosedTags: review, socio-economy
In Australia, our love of the ocean is truly profound – most of us live near the coast, we surf it, camp by it, we marvel at its incredible beauty from its many pristine sandy shores and we are proud of the unique and wondrous sea life that inhabits it.
Our oceans are in trouble. As our climate changes, driven by the unchecked burning of fossil fuels, our seas are transforming before our eyes. Marine heatwaves are surging, coral reefs are on the brink, ice
sheets are melting at an alarming rate, currents are slowing and seas are rising. Put simply: the climate crisis is an ocean crisis.
The ocean is the beating heart of planet Earth, and the lifeblood for all humanity. It produces over half the oxygen we breathe. Its currents regulate our climate and weather. The marine life within it provides sustenance for billions. Our cultures, economies and very identity are tied to the sea.
We have pushed this wondrous, life-giving system to the brink by burning coal, oil and gas. More than 90 percent of the heat trapped by greenhouse gas emissions has been absorbed by the ocean. Parts of the ocean could reach a near-permanent heatwave state within decades.
Our iconic Great Barrier Reef may soon face annual mass coral bleaching. Entire island nations like Tuvalu and Kiribati could become uninhabitable this century as seas rise.
The ocean is a vital carbon sink, absorbing more than 30 percent of the carbon dioxide that humans emit by burning fossil fuels and clearing land. This has changed the chemical make-up of the entire ocean,
making it more acidic.
By absorbing excess heat, and carbon, the ocean has shielded us from the worst of climate change so far. But we are now seeing the consequences of its sacrifice. The climate crisis is no longer a far-off threat. The ocean is screaming a warning that cannot be ignored.
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Continue reading ‘Code Blue: our oceans in crisis’Ocean acidification: time for action
Published 21 November 2023 Newsletters and reports , Web sites and blogs ClosedTags: policy, socio-economy
The role of action plans in tackling a mounting ocean crisis
INTRODUCTION
The world is waking up to the threat that ocean acidification (OA)—a rise in the acidity of seawater caused by excess carbon dioxide entering it from the atmosphere—poses to marine ecosystems and to the coastal economies that depend on them. Since OA’s damaging effects on shellfish were first documented 15 years ago, research organisations have mobilised to collect, on an ongoing basis, huge volumes of OA-related data from the world’s oceans. Based on those data, as well as data gathered in coastal areas, scientists have published a wealth of studies examining the causes and effects of OA.
Environmental advocacy groups championing ocean health, charitable foundations and intergovernmental organisations have built on this work to raise global awareness of OA, fund wider research into it and prod governments around the world to take concrete actions to combat it.
Pacific pioneers: Setting the global standard for OA
National action plans are highly desirable, but it is state governments on the US Pacific coast that have set the standard of OA action for the rest of the world to follow.
Governments, however, have been slow to rise to this challenge. Although many have voiced concerns about OA and expressed an intention to fight it through international mechanisms, at the time of writing less than a dozen have published dedicated action plans. These document specific measures governments will take—or are taking—to advance understanding and the domestic response to OA.
The experts we interviewed for this report are strong advocates for OA action plans. Measures to address OA have a vital place in wider climate change and other marine management initiatives, but a dedicated OA plan stands a better chance of cementing the ambition and commitment of a country, region or locality to actively address localised manifestations of OA and turn back the tide. And while some non-government organisations (NGOs) and science institutions have issued OA action plans of their own, none will carry as much weight as those led by governments.
National action plans are highly desirable, but it is state governments on the US Pacific coast that have set the standard of OA action for the rest of the world to follow. It is here that scientists first registered the deadly impacts of OA on marine life and the threat to coastal economies and jobs. That emergency and follow-on research findings led governments in the region to commit unequivocally to combat OA with the help of dedicated, detailed and well-resourced action plans.
In examining governments’ and other entities’ progress on mobilising against OA, this report finds that existing North American action plans offer useful examples and insights for other jurisdictions. Far from all governments will be able to base their plans on the same depth of research or call on the same resources to draft them. But by including in their plans elements such as a vision of success, timelines, assignment of ownership, and a mandate for periodic review and updating, governments can call upon more resources and put their OA action plans on a firm footing.
WHY ACTION IS VITAL
Ocean acidification is a growing threat to many forms of marine life and to the communities that rely on them for food, jobs and economic wellbeing. OA is a direct result of the growing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by human activity. Up to 30% of carbon released into the atmosphere each year is absorbed by the ocean, which helps to mitigate global warming. But the ocean’s ability to sequester carbon cannot keep pace with rising emission volumes.1 The result is a decline in the pH level of seawater and a rise in its acidity.
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Report citation: Turner J., Braby C., Findlay H., Widdicombe S., Kobayashi M. & Fujii M., 2023. Ocean acidification: time for action. The role of action plans in tackling a mounting ocean crisis. Back to Blue, Economist Impact, The Nippon Foundation. Report.
Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification: time for action’Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries
Published 15 November 2023 Science ClosedTags: policy, review, socio-economy
This planetary boundaries framework update finds that six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now well outside of the safe operating space for humanity. Ocean acidification is close to being breached, while aerosol loading regionally exceeds the boundary. Stratospheric ozone levels have slightly recovered. The transgression level has increased for all boundaries earlier identified as overstepped. As primary production drives Earth system biosphere functions, human appropriation of net primary production is proposed as a control variable for functional biosphere integrity. This boundary is also transgressed. Earth system modeling of different levels of the transgression of the climate and land system change boundaries illustrates that these anthropogenic impacts on Earth system must be considered in a systemic context.
Continue reading ‘Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries’Dive industry perspectives on threats to coral reefs: a comparative study across four Asia-Pacific countries
Published 15 November 2023 Science ClosedTags: corals, mitigation, North Pacific, policy, socio-economy, South Pacific
The combined effects of climate change, marine tourism and other stressors threaten the ecological and economic sustainability of coral reefs. This study investigates dive industry stakeholder awareness of the threats to coral reefs through structured interviews with Dive Masters, company managers and marine management agencies in Vietnam, Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Stakeholders from all locations have observed degradation of local reefs. Destructive fishing was identified as the principal threat in all regions except Australia. Most participants identified threats from climate change and marine tourism. There was a lack of awareness about ocean acidification by all participants from Maluku, Indonesia. However, ocean acidification could make coral more fragile and, therefore, vulnerable to diver-induced damage. The majority of Dive Masters across all regions provide pre-dive briefings to reduce diver impacts and participate in environmental activities to protect local reefs. Stakeholders in three regions thought there was capacity to expand the local dive industry. However, in Nha Trang Vietnam, most industry stakeholders thought they were at, or exceeded, carrying capacity, whereas marine management employees thought there was room to expand. This study highlights an opportunity to improve diver education on the vulnerability of coral to damage in acidifying oceans. This study also identifies various non-regulatory and regulatory strategies used to reduce diver impacts, emphasising the value of multi-national knowledge sharing between the dive industry and regulatory agencies for adaptive management.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Dive industry stakeholders are concerned about threats to coral reefs.
- Impacts from diving activities were recognised in three of four regions.
- There was great discrepancy between regions in the awareness of ocean acidification.
- Most dive industry stakeholders are engaged in marine conservation activities.
- Some marine managers and industry stakeholders had discrepant views on diver carrying capacity
Scuba divers, coral reefs, and knowledge of ocean acidification
Published 8 August 2023 Science ClosedTags: education, policy, socio-economy
Ocean acidification (OA) poses a threat to coral reefs by increasing the fragility of susceptible corals to physical damage. As such, the impacts of dive tourism are likely to be exacerbated under acidified conditions. While evidence exists on the impacts of OA, research is scant on scuba divers’ knowledge of OA. The present study explored scuba divers (N = 75) awareness of threats to coral reefs, and factors which are important to the dive experience via an online survey. Responses revealed participants were least aware of OA than other threats to coral reefs. Almost half the participants had a basic understanding of OA, but a high level of concern about its impacts, highlighting an education opportunity for these already ‘concerned’ divers. Factors important to their dive experience included sites being located in a marine protected area / managed for conservation, and high diversity of coral with good quality and minimal disturbance. The findings indicated there are economic opportunities associated with good environmental management at coral reef dive sites, including through preferential site selection and willingness to pay a conservation levy. Recommendations for OA education and awareness initiatives and other regulatory and non-regulatory management strategies are discussed.
Continue reading ‘Scuba divers, coral reefs, and knowledge of ocean acidification’Anthropogenic and ecology research indicators of top commercial fish species in the Baltic Sea: review
Published 19 June 2023 Science ClosedTags: adaptation, Baltic, biological response, fish, fisheries, otherprocess, review, socio-economy
In many parts of the world, morality caused as a result of fishing actives is the only influencer affecting the status of top commercial stocks. This however is not the case in the Baltic Sea, which has a multitude of other processes that influence fish stock dynamics. This paper compartmentalises 248 publications that consider the cumulative effects and trade-offs some of the biggest anthropogenic and ecology stressors (temperature change, hypoxia, eutrophication, nutrient pollution acidification, low salinity and food-web dynamics) have on the ecology of top commercial fish species in the Baltic Sea (cod, sprat, whiting, herring, flounder and plaice). The results illustrate the extent of academic research that can be applied to commercial fisheries knowledge in the Baltic Sea and identifies which pressures have the greatest negative impacts for which species. In addition, the findings demonstrate how well individual fish stocks have adapted to the changing environmental conditions of the Baltic Sea. In doing so, the review illustrates the next challenges and underlines what fish will likely dominate in the future and which will struggle. With increased natural hazards, top commercial fish species have reacted differently, depending on the region and adaptive capabilities. In most cases, species in the Clupeidae family have adapted the best to their new surroundings, flatfish resilience is varied, whilst fish in the Gadidae family are finding the Baltic Sea too hostile.
Continue reading ‘Anthropogenic and ecology research indicators of top commercial fish species in the Baltic Sea: review’Broaden research on ocean alkalinity enhancement to better characterize social impacts
Published 15 June 2023 Science ClosedTags: mitigation, review, socio-economy
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being considered as a way of achieving large-scale removals of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Research on the risks and benefits of different OAE approaches is expanding apace, but it remains difficult to anticipate and appraise the potential impacts to human communities that OAE might generate. These impacts, however, will be critical to evaluating the viability of specific OAE projects. This paper draws on the authors’ involvement in interdisciplinary assessment of OAE (1) to identify the factors that currently limit characterization of potential social impacts and (2) to propose ways of reconfiguring OAE research to better consider these.
Marine macroinvertebrate ecosystem services under changing conditions of seagrasses and mangroves
Published 5 June 2023 Science ClosedTags: abundance, annelids, biological response, BRcommunity, chemistry, cnidaria, community composition, crustaceans, echinoderms, Indian, mollusks, otherprocess, phanerogams, phytoplankton, primary production, review, socio-economy
Highlights
- Overfishing and climate change show potential effects on MMI ES.
- MMI regulating ES can be quantified using species richness and functional traits.
- Digital platforms are valuable tools to retrieve data but have limitations.
- Baseline data and information on environmental changes and MMI ES is provided.
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the impact of changing environmental conditions on MMI ES in seagrasses and mangroves. We used data from satellite and biodiversity platforms combined with field data to explore the links between ecosystem pressures (habitat conversion, overexploitation, climate change), conditions (environmental quality, ecosystem attributes), and MMI ES (provisioning, regulation, cultural). Both seagrass and mangrove extents increased significantly since 2016. While sea surface temperature showed no significant annual variation, sea surface partial pressure CO2, height above sea level and pH presented significant changes. Among the environmental quality variables only silicate, PO4 and phytoplankton showed significant annual varying trends. The MMI food provisioning increased significantly, indicating overexploitation that needs urgent attention. MMI regulation and cultural ES did not show significant trends overtime. Our results show that MMI ES are affected by multiple factors and their interactions can be complex and non-linear. We identified key research gaps and suggested future directions for research. We also provided relevant data that can support future ES assessments.
Continue reading ‘Marine macroinvertebrate ecosystem services under changing conditions of seagrasses and mangroves’New Zealand’s media and the crisis in the ocean: news norms and scientific urgency
Published 26 May 2023 Science ClosedTags: review, socio-economy
1. To date, no studies have analysed New Zealand’s media coverage of ocean-related threats, potential harms, or sources used for their coverage. This is concerning given that marine media coverage is linked to public support, awareness of conservation issues, and policymaking.
2. This research helps fill this gap, examining all ocean-related articles 2 weeks before and after the 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report’s release on the oceans and cryosphere.
3. It first analyses the media’s reporting of threats, potential harms arising from the threats, and the sources on whom journalists relied and gave voice, then it tests a report of global significance for influence on reportage.
4. Second, it examines whether the threats covered by media align with scientists’ main concerns (from the IPCC report and a survey of New Zealand scientists).
5. In contrast to previous studies on media sources for environmental conservation, this study found that journalists in New Zealand relied considerably on scientists as key sources. However, it found that coverage of ocean-related threats did not match scientists’ main concerns.
6. Finally, the research found that the IPCC report appeared to influence coverage in two areas: reporting on threats to island nations, and multiple potential harms. Otherwise, New Zealand’s media covered the IPCC report as any other news item, reporting on it and then shifting to other matters.
7. The lack of coverage on primary scientific concerns and that a globally significant momentous report did not dramatically impact the marine media landscape is problematic for conservation of ocean habitats, species, and broader environmental and societal outcomes owing to poor understandings by policymakers and the public, which can lead to inaction and policy failures.
8. The potential reasons and solutions to advance communication of marine conservation issues for a more educated and mobilized public are explored.
Continue reading ‘New Zealand’s media and the crisis in the ocean: news norms and scientific urgency’Investigating the environmental sustainability of a seabass and seabream aquaculture system in Portugal based on life cycle and nexus approaches
Published 25 May 2023 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, North Atlantic, review, socio-economy
Highlights
- A Portuguese seabass and seabream aquaculture system was analysed.
- A climate change impact equal to 2.88 kg CO2-eq/kg MSF was found.
- The aquaculture system depends 59 % on non-renewable resources.
- In resource terms, 504.1 MJex are needed per kg of protein.
- Potential strategies are given to improve environmental sustainability.
Abstract
Aquaculture plays an essential role in supplying animal-source food and protein worldwide, in this way contributing to several sustainable development goals. Notwithstanding this, the aquaculture sector’s long-term environmental sustainability is a major concern due to overall environmental impacts. To date, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, assessments of aquaculture systems in Portugal from an environmental perspective, and the nexus between resource consumption and nutrition issues, are still lacking. This study bridges this gap by analysing an aquaculture system in Portugal in a comprehensive manner by applying and combining life cycle assessment and resources–protein nexus approaches. The overall results highlight feed as the main factor responsible for the total impact in all impact categories selected, ranging from 74 % to 98 %. Climate change impact results in 2.88 kg CO2-eq per kg of medium-size fish (functional unit). The resources–protein nexus shows that 504.1 MJex is needed to obtain 1 kg of edible protein, with a high dependency on non-renewable resources (59 %), mainly oil by-product fuels used in feed production. After identifying environmental hotspots, potential strategies to be adopted such as resource consumption reduction, eco-certification and ecosystem-based management are suggested, in this way ensuring long-term aquaculture production and environmental sustainability.
Continue reading ‘Investigating the environmental sustainability of a seabass and seabream aquaculture system in Portugal based on life cycle and nexus approaches’
