Integrating fisheries observations with environmental data - towards a better understanding of the conditions for fish in the sea

Abstract

Starting with some historical reflections on the wealth of fish in eastern Canadian waters and the climatic situation at the times of John Cabot's landfall 500 years ago, the presentation gives information on published literature which deal with impact studies. The living marine resources are considered in the contexts of physiological changes in the organisms and the impacts of environmental conditions such as thermohaline, wind, teleconnection and global warming. The effects are then given in a synthesis, along with considerations of modelling and forecasting aspects. It is observed that, whereas the Teleconnection Impacts and the Global Warming Impacts still remain in the 'scenario type' of base studies, the modelling attempts are focused on regional forecasts, and thus reflect the results from the 'Impact' related studies of the first order. It is proposed that if the input variables are a realistic assessment, the results should then point at a realistic future fisheries resource situation, and thus lead towards a better understanding of the conditions for fish in the sea. The presentation concludes with the statement that the cited literature might reflect a different understanding of the ocean and it's living resources which indeed might point at a shift in paradigm in ocean sciences.