Climate change is causing tuna to migrate, which could spell catastrophe for the small islands that depend on them

Sat, 7 Aug 2021 05:33:19 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-causing-tuna-to-migrate-which-could-spell-catastrophe-for-the-small-islands-that-depend-on-them-164000>

"Small Pacific Island states depend on their commercial fisheries for food
supplies and economic health. But our new research shows climate change will
dramatically alter tuna stocks in the tropical Pacific, with potentially severe
consequences for the people who depend on them.

As climate change warms the waters of the Pacific, some tuna will be forced to
migrate to the open ocean of the high seas, away from the jurisdiction of any
country. The changes will affect three key tuna species: skipjack, yellowfin,
and bigeye.

Pacific Island nations such as the Cook Islands and territories such as Tokelau
charge foreign fishing operators to access their waters, and heavily depend on
this revenue. Our research estimates the movement of tuna stocks will cause a
fall in annual government revenue to some of these small island states of up to
17%.

This loss will hurt these developing economies, which need fisheries revenue to
maintain essential services such as hospitals, roads and schools. The
experience of Pacific Island states also bodes poorly for global climate
justice more broadly."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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