51
Aquatic ecosystems provide services that contribute to human welfare, both directly and
indirectly. These may be recognized by their direct benefits, such as sources of employ
ment, income and food security, tourism, scientific research and mineral extraction; by
their indirect benefits, such as climate regulation and transportation; and by their intrin
sic value, such as the conservation of biodiversity and social identities and their continu
ation to support future generations (Kay and Alder, 2005).
OCEANS’ BLUE CARBON SINKS
AND HUMANWELLBEING
It is estimated, that the average annual value of services from
the world’s coastal ecosystems exceeds US$25,000 billion per
year (Martínez
et al.
, 2007). Hence, the coastal zone is of major
economic importance today much as it has been throughout
human history.
Climate change is projected to impact across ecosystems, societ-
ies and economies, increasing pressures on all livelihoods and
food supplies, including those in the fisheries and aquaculture
sector. Maintenance of food quality will have a more pivotal role
as resources come under greater pressure, and availability and
access to, for example, fish supplies will become an increasingly
critical development issue (Cochrane
et al.
, 2009; FAO, 2008).
IMPACTS TO FOOD SECURITY THROUGH
THE OCEANS AND COASTS
The climate change induced alterations which the oceans will
experience, including increasing temperatures, acidification and
changes in currents will ultimately affect fisheries and aquacul-
ture. Fish distributions are predicted to change, and already we
Fish catch
Tonnes per
square kilometre
5 and more
3 to 5
1 to 3
0.5 to 1
0.25 to 0.5
0.2 to 0.25
Sources: based on Alhenius, H., 2008; FAO, 2008.
Figure 20: The worlds most produc-
tive fishing grounds
are confined to
major hotspots in around 7.5% of
the ocean surface, where over half
of the fish are caught.
r
r il
tr
an
r
3 to
to
. t
0. to 0.
.2 to .25
rc s: s l
i s, .,
;
,
.
Fish catch
es per
square kilometre
5
ore
5
1 t 3
0.5 o 1
.25 t .5
0 0.
Source: based on Alhenius, H., 2008; Sea Aro nd Us project, personal communication October 2007 (University of British Columbia).
