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How fish farmers in the Mediterranean adapt to climate change

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Mediterranean fish farmers are adapting to climate change as rising sea temperatures and lower oxygen levels impact aquaculture
In Greece, fish farms are moving offshore to cooler waters and reducing stocking densities to improve oxygen flow and fish health
New techniques, including larger net holes and altered feeding schedules, are also being implemented to cope with these changing conditions

🔭 The context: The Mediterranean experienced record-high sea temperatures in 2024, with some areas surpassing 30°C, far above the typical 26-27°C
These changes are affecting fish growth and increasing disease risks, prompting farms to adopt innovative practices
Research by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research is studying how fish respond to different temperature conditions to help farmers adapt

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Climate change is threatening global food security, and aquaculture is particularly vulnerable as warming waters affect marine ecosystems
Sustainable adaptation strategies for fish farming are essential to maintaining fish stocks and biodiversity
Such measures could serve as a model for other regions facing similar climate impacts

⏭️ What's next: Ongoing research aims to develop predictive tools to help farmers optimize conditions based on future climate scenarios
European initiatives like the Climefish project are focusing on providing robust data and decision-making support to better manage aquaculture under changing climate conditions
Long-term strategies will likely involve technological innovation and continued offshore expansion

💬 One quote: “At 33-34°C there is an almost complete psychological collapse and the fish are not able to grow and not consume anything” — Nikos Papandroulakis, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research

📈 One stat: In September 2024, Mediterranean sea surface temperatures were 0.7°C above the 1991-2020 average, marking the second warmest September globally

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change 

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