Effect of Climate Change on Fisheries

Warming waters would cause the migration of species into other areas, causing additional competition for food and nutrients. Changes in water temperature would also impact the life cycles of different species causing fewer mature animals to recruit to the fishery population in each year class. Bacteria thrive in warm water and will infect fish and shellfish, causing a decline in their populations. Ranges of mangrove swamps and seagrasses beds would shift due to warmer conditions, causing fish populations to shift or decline. Current problems, such as pollution and overfishing could worsen under changing climate conditions.

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