Assessing the Consequences of Climate Change for Alaska and the Bering Sea

• Main Author: Knapp, Gunnar
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Center for Global Change and Arctic System Research University of Alaska Fairbanks 1998
• Subjects: Climate Change; Fishing; Alaska; Bering Sea
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11122/14512

Marine fisheries are very vulnerable to climate change. Most of the research to date on the relationship between climate change and fisheries focuses specifically on how climate change may affect marine ecosystems and in turn abundance and harvests of specific marine species. This paper focuses on the human effects-economic, social and political effects-of climate-driven changes in Alaska commercial fisheries, and what can be done to mitigate these effects. Alaska commercial fisheries are the basis of a major industry of economic significance not only to Alaska but also the nation. In 1995, the ex-vessel value (the value received by fishermen) of Alaska landings exceeded $1.4 billion, while the first wholesale value (the value after processing in Alaska) was almost $3.0 billion. Climate change may have significant effects on Alaska fisheries. Climate change is likely to reduce the abundance of some species while increasing the abundance of others, with resulting reductions or increases in commercial harvests. For some species, significant changes in harvests may occur rapidly. How managers respond to climate change may either amplify or smooth out the effects of climate change on harvests. For a given species, climate change may cause harvests to increase in some parts of Alaska and decline in other parts of Alaska. For most species, we can't predict accurately how harvests in a given area may change, or when changes may occur. The farther we look into the future, the greater our uncertainty about potential changes in harvests. The history of commercial fishing in Alaska and elsewhere offers numerous examples of the economic and social consequences of climate change. These may include: Changes in harvests. Changes in regulations due to effects of climate on other species. Changes in fishing and processing employment. Changes in harvesting and processing costs. Changes in Prices. Changes in market share. Changes in fishing and processing income and profits. Changes in income and employment in fisheries support ...