Chapter 18: Management Adaptation to Climate Change Effect on Fisheries in Western Australia

Authors

Nick Caputi, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Simon de Lestang, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Ming Feng, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Gary Jackson, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow

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Description

Western Australia is an ideal location to examine biological and socio-economic implications of climate change on fisheries as its coast extends over 14–35°S encompassing tropical to temperate ecosystems. The marine environment is strongly influenced by the warm, low-nutrient, south-flowing Leeuwin Current. There has been a warming trend in water temperature which combined with decadal climate variations has contributed to a marine heat wave event in the austral summer of 2010/11. The effect of climate change is examined using a risk-assessment approach applied to a number of fisheries case studies and priority setting for research takes into account socio-economic value of fisheries. The western rock lobster fishery is one of the best in Australia to examine effects of climate changes because of its long time series of data, its sensitivity to environmental conditions, its location in a hotspot of water temperature increases in the Indian Ocean and the recent recruitment decline due to long-term environmental factors. The marine heat wave has had significant implications in the management of a number of fisheries with 99% mortality of Roe's abalone in the mid-west as well as affecting crab, scallop and prawn stocks with range extensions of a number of tropical species. The key management focus has been on the protection of the spawning stock. In this chapter, we review the climate sensitivity of the marine environment and summarize the risk assessment results. Then case studies dealing with a decline in rock lobster recruitment and the marine heat wave are assessed along with the management approach adopted.

Publication Title

Climate Change Impacts on Fisheries and Aquaculture: A Global Analysis

ISBN

9781119154044

Publication Date

20-9-2017

Document Type

Contribution to Book

Publisher

John Wiley and Sons Ltd

City

New Jersey

Keywords

Climate change, fisheries, aquaculture, western australia

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Marine Biology | Natural Resources Management and Policy

Recommended Citation

Caputi, N, de Lestang, S, Feng, M, and Jackson, G. (2017), Chapter 18: Management Adaptation to Climate Change Effect on Fisheries in Western Australia. John Wiley and Sons Ltd, New Jersey. Contribution to Book.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/books/26