The Perspective of Climate Change on the Aquatic Environment and Fish Production

Abstract

Climate change, a burning global issue, has had and will continue to impact our environment significantly. Over the years, natural and anthropogenic factors have affected climate leading to alterations in monsoon patterns, North Atlantic Oscillation El Nino/Southern Oscillation, and other changes. In the future, the overall carbon dioxide balance and the foreseen changes are likely to weaken the efficiency of carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere, disturbing the aquatic environment and ecosystem. Changes in the aquatic environment directly affect the food chain, disturbing the abundance of marine and inland fishes, their recruitment, catch, etc. Global changes in the aquatic environment are likely to change the limits of marine protected areas, and low-lying island countries dependent on coastal economies. Disturbance in the aquatic environment will also affect the propagation of phytoplankton and other algae which could reduce the concentration of atmospheric oxygen. The autotrophic phytoplankton act as carbon dioxide sinks and account for nearly half of the total global photosynthesis. Their absence would have severe consequences as the aquatic food chain would get cracked. Looking at this foreseen situation faced by humans the chapter is attempted to present some insights due to climate change with severe consequences for the aquatic environment and fish production.