The Implications of global climate change for molluscan aquaculture

Abstract

Climate change is leading to alterations in the basic biophysical processes that determine the ecological structure and function of the oceans. This will have an impact on the future of molluscan shellfish farming. The impacts may be positive or negative, depending upon location. The pathways through which shellfish farming may be affected by climate change are complex, but may include increased mortality and decreased growth rates from a combination of climate-change related stresses such as ocean acidification, reduced oxygenation of heated, enclosed waters, changes in primary production, changes in natural spatfall, changes in the frequency of pathogenic infections and the distribution of pests and nonnative species. Additionally, increased extreme weather events may increase losses and direct damage to aquaculture installations and coastal infrastructure.