Climate change impacts on Mediterranean fisheries: A sensitivity and vulnerability analysis for main commercial species

Description

Climate-induced projected range shifts of exploited species would lead to a redistribution of stocks. Evaluatingthe combined ecological and socio-economic consequences of projected changes in Mediterranean fisheries dueto climate change has remained largely unexplored. This study aims to identify the most affected stocks byclimate change and more vulnerable countries in the region. Thus, we calculated the species specific sensitivityper country for 17 harvested species of significant importance. Then, we evaluated the vulnerability index forMediterranean countries. Results show that temperate-cold species, i.e., Sprattus sprattus and Solea solea appearthe most sensitive species. In contrast, temperate-warm species like the bogue showed the lowest sensitivity.Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya are the most vulnerable countries due to their comparatively high exposure to globalwarming and low adaptive capacity. At the same time, Slovenia, France, and Croatia have the lowest vulnerabilitybecause of their low exposure and sensitivity and remarkably high adaptive capacity. The southernMediterranean countries would be the most vulnerable to climate-induced effects on marine fisheries. The regionseriously needs adequate and adopted on-time adaptation and mitigation policies to lessen potential risks toharvested species and stocks and guarantee the contribution of fisheries to the economy and food security in thelong-term.

Abstract

International audience

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