Climate change and the fishing industry in

belizeBy Ken Young

About the fishing industry

• Capture Fisheries: areas for catching wild fish, such as spiny lobster, queen conch, white shrimp, groupers, snappers, and mackerel

• Aquaculture: in Belize, this consists of ten shrimp farms and two tilapia/cobia farms

• Freshwater inland fisheries: mostly inland river fishing at the subsistence level; a negligible part of the economy

Capture Fishery

Shrimp farm

Importance of Fishing• 9.2 tons of fish exported in 2005 (compare:

3,070,000 tons exported from US per year)• 29% of export revenue in 2003 (compare:

~0.7% of US export revenue)• Employs 26% of the work force (compare:

~0.06% of US workforce)• Fish provides 27% of dietary protein to

developing coastal countries (compare: about 13% in developed countries)

Warmer sea surface temperature

• A direct effect of rising global temperatures• Leads to coral bleaching and mortality• Loss of coral leads to diminished habitat and

nutrient streams for fish species• Harmful algal blooms killing fish• Reefs act as a buffer for coastal villages, so

increased damage from waves and storms reduces ability to fish

Coral bleaching

Ocean Acidification• Due to dissolved CO2 in the water

• Weakens ability of coral to deposit a limestone skeleton, so growth and maintenance is reduced

• Reduced levels of calcium carbonate make it difficult for key species to form skeletons and shells

• Potentially affects physiological health and reproductive ability of fish

Sea level rise• Due to thermal expansion and glacier melt• Mangroves, sea grasses and reefs become

less-effective spawning and nursery habitats for many fish’

• Increases coastal erosion• Exacerbates storm surges and flooding

Flooded mangrove

Extreme weather events

• Primarily hurricanes and tropical storms• Increased damage to coastal villages and

aquaculture facilities• Destroys mangroves, increases coastal

erosion and sedimentation, damaging important habitats

• During Hurricane Hattie in 1981, 40% of the buildings in Belize City were completely destroyed, and another 25-35% were severely damaged

Hurricane hattie

Adaptation Strategies• Careful monitoring of water quality (salinity,

dissolved gasses, temperature)• Preservation and restoration of mangrove,

reef, sea grass and other marine ecosystems• Training of farmers on water quality

management• Institution of water conservation measures• Investment in improved aquaculture facilities

More adaptation strategies

• A planned approach to aquaculture development, including zoning areas for shrimp farming

• Fishery and aquaculture activities expanded to stabilize seafood usage with new species

• Inland relocation of production infrastructure• Development of credible research programs,

relevant policy prescriptions, and a communication strategy

Bibliography• http://www.undp.org/content/dam/belize/docs/UNDP

%20BZ%20Publications/Belize-and-Climate-Change-The-Costs-of-Inaction.pdf

• http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/blznc2.pdf

• http://www.caricom-fisheries.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=v7OOgjEGBZU%3D&tabid=233

• http://www.uba.ar/cambioclimatico/download/Allison%20et%20al%202009.pdf

• http://biology.duke.edu/bio217/2001/sealevel/page5.html

Bibliography• http://www.unep.org/pdf/indeadwater_lr.pdf• http

://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452h39h81961.pdf

• ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/fcp/en/FI_CP_US.pdf

• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook//rankorder/2095rank.html