Economic and Ecological Impacts of Climate Change on Coastal Fisheries: A Global Analysis of Vulnerability and Adaptive Management Strategies

Climate Change, which is driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions and increasing global temperatures, poses a significant threat to sea-based industries globally. Coastal fisheries are the most at risk because they depend on ocean ecosystems that are especially vulnerable to changes in the environment. Although the effects of ocean warming and rising sea levels are well documented already, the issue remains of how these effects can compound with existing anthropogenic effects like overfishing and habitat degradation. These impacts have important considerations for not only the biodiversity of these ecosystems, but the economic health of communities who rely on them as a source of income and food. This is shown in small island developing states like Fiji and the Maldives, and other developing states where fisheries contribute to a large amount of both the GDP and the food security of those countries. This study looks at how these environmental changes, combined with social and economic factors, are putting pressure on coastal fisheries, shipping, coastal real estate, and renewable marine energy. Using real-world research, it explores ways communities can adapt such as managing fisheries through clear rights, restoring damaged ecosystems, and creating marine protected areas led by locals. The results show that we need policies that bring together science and good governance to help these communities recover. These kinds of approaches are key to keeping coastal fisheries and related industries healthy and sustainable as our oceans continue to change.