Foreword

Abstract

Climate change has been recognised as the foremost environmental problem of this century, which is now increasingly realised, felt, and assumed a frightful term. It is affecting the available ecosystems on the planet earth, thriving communities, and economics. There is unprecedented growing pressure on the existing food systems including crops, livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture and related livelihoods. Fisheries and aquaculture contribute significantly to food security and livelihoods by providing essential nutrition to three billion people and at least 50% of animal protein and minerals to 400 million people from the poorest countries. Over 500 mil- lion people in developing countries depend, directly or indirectly, on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods. Though aquaculture is currently the world’s fastest- growing food production system, growing at 7% annually, and fish products are among the most widely traded foods, with more than 37% (by volume) of world production traded internationally, this is equally vulnerable to climate change- mediated impacts.