EDFish

New platform seeks to prevent ocean conflict in the face of climate change

By EDF Oceans / Published: December 12, 2023

By Jacqui Vogel (EDF) and Dr. Sarah Glaser (WWF)

Oceans are under immense threat from climate change. Around the world, oceanographic changes like melting sea ice, warming waters, sea level rise and shifting fish populations make access to marine resources more uncertain and less secure.

Climate change threatens to disrupt the communities, supply chains and food systems that rely on marine systems that are now rapidly changing. An impact of climate change is conflict in the ocean, including conflict over shifting and shrinking natural resources. Fisheries conflicts have increased 20-fold over the last 40 years, and 23% of all fish stocks are expected to shift in distribution by 2030. But scientists are working on a solution.

Posted in Climate Change, Policy, Science/Research, Seafood / Comments are closed

Seaweed to Slow Down Climate Change: Ready? Or Not?

By Rod Fujita / Bio / Published: August 15, 2023

Seaweed is a hot solution for mitigating climate change. Can this carbon-absorbing powerhouse really help?

Seaweed is having a moment. I’ve been working on seaweed for 40 years, and I’ve never seen so many headlines about how seaweed can save the planet.

I can understand why. The need to save the planet is more pressing than ever. We must now dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, at the same time, increase the planet’s capacity to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere to prevent even more catastrophic impacts of global warming.

Posted in Science/Research, Seafood / Tagged Aquaculture, Blue Carbon, carbon, climate, Climate change, research, science, seaweed, seaweed farming, sustainability | Comments are closed

Linking knowledge and action for climate-ready fisheries: Putting the puzzle together

By EDF Oceans / Published: July 25, 2023

Through collaboration and action, US fisheries can be managed with methods to enhance climate resilience.

By Julia Mason and Sarah Weisberg

What will it take to create climate-resilient fisheries?

Fisheries scientists and managers across the US have been sensing a change in the air — and not just the highest temperatures ever recorded, although they probably contribute. There’s a growing sense of climate urgency in fishery management conversations and agendas.

Posted in Climate and Fisheries Series, Global Fisheries / Tagged Climate change, climate resilience, climate-resilient fisheries, collaboration, Fisheries, Fisheries Management, Fishery Management, Fishing, small-scale fisheries, sustainable fisheries | Comments are closed

The ocean as a climate champion: Capitol Hill Ocean Week paints the town blue

By EDF Oceans / Published: July 18, 2023

At Capitol Hill Ocean Week, EDF discussed the intersections between ocean and climate – and the potential for change.

By Lucy Vogt, EDF Seafood Policy Intern

Last month, Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) welcomed environmental businesses, leaders, and shakers — and one brand-new intern.

CHOW investigated the intersection between the ocean and the climate by facilitating conversations about ocean opportunities. Even though the ocean covers more than 70% of the earth, produces 50% of the oxygen we need and absorbs 25% of the carbon emissions we produce, it is often perceived solely as a victim of climate change. But this massive ecosystem holds a wealth of potential climate solutions, and CHOW conversations ranged from offshore wind to maritime shipping to partnerships with coastal communities.

Posted in Policy, Seafood / Tagged Aquaculture, Blue Carbon, blue food, Capitol Hill Ocean Week, CHOW, climate solution, Fisheries, Marine Policy, Natural Climate Solutions | Comments are closed

Working with partners to evaluate the potential of blue foods in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies

By Karly Kelso / Bio / Published: May 25, 2023

Fresh seafood at the market in the City of Tacloban, Eastern Visayas region. Photo credit Marcial Bolen.

Over the last couple of years, EDF has actively worked to raise the contributions of aquatic foods in transforming food systems and making progress on 9 of the 17 the Sustainable Development Goals—global goals established under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a universal call to action to end poverty, to protect the planet, and to ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Posted in International, Science/Research / Tagged blue food, Blue Food Assessment, Care USA, Climate change, climate-resilient fisheries, collaboration, Stanford, Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Stockholm Resilience Centre, World Fish | Comments are closed

Local knowledge is key to understanding climate impacts on fisheries

By EDF Oceans / Published: May 23, 2023

Photo credit: Perry Institute for Marine Science

By Gemma Carroll, Jacob Eurich and Krista Sherman

Shervin Tate is a recreational fishing guide in The Bahamas, known locally as the Bonefish Specialist. He takes visiting anglers by boat to fish remote beaches and shallow water flats flanked by mangroves. The ultimate prize for his guests is landing and releasing a bonefish: pound for pound, one of the strongest sportfish in the world. Shervin assesses the conditions to select the perfect place to fish, then he and the angler scan the flats for where to target the next cast. Read More »

Posted in Climate Change, International / Tagged bahamas, bonefish, coastal, Fishing, mangroves | Comments are closed