Fish jeopardised by climate change
Monday 21 November 2005
Fish populations in rivers, lakes and the sea are
under threat from climate change, in addition to the damaging effects of
unsustainable fishing practices, a new report from conservation group WWF
has revealed. The results of the research has added further pressure on the
UK government to clarify its position on climate change at the upcoming
Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Montreal.
According to the report, titled ‘Are we putting our fish in hot water?’,
rising temperatures are expected to stunt the growth of various fish
species, resulting in fewer offspring. It could also lead to fish
populations moving to cooler waters to maintain their normal habitat
temperature.
The changing fish levels have already impacted on seabird breeeding during
2005, with sharp declines in kittiwake and puffin populations.
"Climate change increases the pressure on fish populations that are already
strained to the limit by over fishing in the marine environment,” said
Andrew Lee, Director of Campaigns for WWF-UK. “We must act urgently to
reduce both carbon dioxide emissions and fishing pressures to protect fish
populations as they are one of the world's most valuable biological,
nutritional and economic assets."
Tom Le Quesne, Freshwater Policy Officer for WWF-UK added; "Fishermen around
the country who have seen rivers almost disappearing in the last few summers
are already providing vivid testimony to the impacts of climate change."
|