A landmark study reveals that many of the world’s largest aquatic food producers are at high risk from human-induced environmental changes, with countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa having the lowest adaptation capacity. Over 90% of global “blue” food production, encompassing capture fisheries and aquaculture, faces substantial risks from environmental shifts, including algal blooms, sea level rise, changing temperatures, and pesticide exposure.
Published in Nature Sustainability, the research is the first-ever global analysis of environmental stressors affecting blue food production. It ranks countries according to their exposure to these stressors. Notably, even major blue food producers like Norway, China, and the United States are vulnerable. The study highlights a lack of understanding regarding the complex interplay of stressors causing environmental change.
Key threats identified include species invasion, eutrophication, ocean warming, and sea level rise. Marine fisheries are more vulnerable to climate-related stressors, while aquaculture faces risks from diseases and low oxygen levels. Countries with high exposure and low adaptation capacity, such as Bangladesh, Eswatini, Guatemala, Honduras, and Uganda, require special attention.
The report urges transboundary collaboration, diversification of blue food production, and greater stakeholder engagement to address these challenges. Indigenous knowledge is seen as crucial in mitigating and adapting to environmental changes in artisanal fisheries and marine-dependent countries.
This study is part of the broader Blue Food Assessment (BFA) initiative aimed at informing aquatic food sustainability.
