Impacts of ocean acidification in a warming Mediterranean Sea: Anoverview

• Published in: Regional Studies in Marine Science
• Main Authors: Lacoue-Labarthe, Thomas, Nunes, Paulo A.L.D., Ziveri, Patrizia, Cinar, Mine, Gazeau, Frédéric, Hall-Spencer, Jason M., Hilmi, Nathalie, Moschella, Paula, Sauzade, Didier, Turley, Carol
• Other Authors: Centre Scientifique de Monaco
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Elsevier 2016
• Subjects: Mediterranean; Warming; Acidification; Ecosystem services; Fisheries; Habitat loss; Ecosystem vulnerability; Climate change; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/133209; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2015.12.005; https://doi.org/10.13039/501100008123

11 pages, 6 figures Mediterranean Sea fisheries supply significant local and international markets, based largely on small pelagic fish, artisanal fisheries and aquaculture of finfish (mainly seabass and seabream) and shellfish (mussels and oysters). Fisheries and aquaculture contribute to the economy of countries bordering this sea and provide food and employment to coastal communities employing ca 600,000 people. Increasing temperatures and heat wave frequency are causing stress and mortality in marine organisms and ocean acidification is expected to worsen these effects, especially for bivalves and coralligenous systems. Recruitment and seed production present possible bottlenecks for shellfish aquaculture in the future since early life stages are vulnerable to acidification and warming. Although adult finfish seem able to withstand the projected increases in seawater CO, degradation of seabed habitats and increases in harmful blooms of algae and jellyfish might adversely affect fish stocks. Ocean acidification should therefore be factored into fisheries and aquaculture management plans. Rising CO levels are expected to reduce coastal biodiversity, altering ecosystem functioning and possibly impacting tourism being the Mediterranean the world's most visited region. We recommend that ocean acidification is monitored in key areas of the Mediterranean Sea, with regular assessments of the likely socio-economic impacts to build adaptive strategies for the Mediterranean countries concerned This study was conducted as part of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco research program, funded by the Government of the Principality of Monaco Peer Reviewed