Climate Change Direct Effects on Antarctic Fish and Indirect Effects on Ecosystems and Fisheries Management

• Main Author: Vanderhaven, Beth
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Antarctic; Southern Ocean; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14141

Climate change has direct effects on the physiology of Antarctic fish. These polar fish, predominantly from Notothenioidei, are well adapted for the stable, cold environmental conditions of the Southern Ocean. Physiological adaptations include antifreeze glycogen proteins (AFGP) and a narrow tolerance to temperature change. Climate change does not impact evenly around Antarctica, in areas of warming there are predicted negative effects on fish stock and survivability, habitats and indirectly ecosystems. In turn fisheries and their management must also take into account the direct impacts on the Antarctic fish they harvest. This critical review identifies specific areas of weakness of fish species, habitats and the Antarctic marine ecosystem. Whilst also identifying current fisheries issues that need to be addressed due to the direct influences on the Antarctic fish.