Impact of climate change in Mediterranean aquaculture
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Date
2012
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Publisher
Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is the biggest marginal sea of the Earth and is at the
centre of the life for several millions of people. Seafood is consumed widely in
this region, with an average of 16.5 kg ⁄ capita ⁄ year, and one-fourth of the seafood
supply comes from aquaculture activities. The Mediterranean aquaculture
sector has expanded in recent decades. Production increased by 77% over the
past decade reaching about 1.3 million metric tonnes in 2009. The total value
of production was around 3700 million US dollars, representing 3.4% of the
value of global aquaculture production. The growth of seafood demand in the
Mediterranean is expected to increase in the future, especially in southern
countries. Yet, during the 21st century, the Mediterranean basin is expected to
observe: (i) an increase in air temperature of between 2.2 C and 5.1 C; (ii) a
decrease in rainfall of between 4% and 27%; (iii) an increase in drought periods
related to a high frequency of days during which the temperature would
exceed 30 C; and (iv) an increase of the sea level of around 35 cm and saline
intrusion. Moreover, extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts or floods,
are likely to be more frequent and violent. This paper reviews the present status
of Mediterranean aquaculture (e.g. production trends, main farmed species,
production systems, major producing countries), the most relevant impacts of
climate change on this sector (temperature, eutrophication, harmful algae
blooms, water stress, sea level rise, acidification and diseases) and proposes a
wide range of adaptation and mitigation strategies that might be implemented
to minimize impacts.
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Keywords
adaptation, aquaculture, climate change, Mediterranean Sea, mitigation