Summary

Climate change will affect both fish stocks and their habitats. Rising or falling temperatures will influence the abundance, migratory patterns and mortality rates of wild fish stocks and determine what species can be farmed in specific regions. Climate change can lead to changes in the volume of water in rivers and lakes. The composition of water bodies can affect the species and quantities of fish stocks. These climatic effects on fish stocks will have social and economic consequences for people dependent on fisheries and aquaculture ranging from fisheries workers to coastal communities as well as to the consumers of fish.

Recommendation ITU-T L.1505 includes a review of the effects of climate change on fisheries and fishing communities. It recognizes the need for adaptation and for the use and dissemination of relevant innovative techniques. It explores adaptation plans and the potential role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in supporting the adaptation of the fisheries sector to cope with the effects of climate change.