Core Publications

This paper examines the potential of aquaculture to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals focusing on food security, climate change, and biodiversity. The authors developed a traits-based fuzzy logic model to evaluate the performance of different aquaculture species across these three categories. The study found that algae and molluscs generally outperform finfish and crustaceans in terms of overall contribution to food security, climate change, and biodiversity. The paper argues that prioritizing aquaculture species with desirable traits related to both food production and environmental impact can improve overall sustainability and highlights the potential of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems as a way to maximize the benefits of aquaculture while minimizing its negative impacts.

Listen: Deep Dive > Aquaculture

This paper examines the impacts of climate change on the food web of the Canadian Beaufort Sea, specifically focusing on how changes in sea surface temperature, sea ice extent, dissolved oxygen, and ocean salinity affect the ecological niches of marine mammals and fish. Using an Ecopath with Ecosim model, the study simulates historical changes from 1970 to 2021, revealing that increased salinity has a particularly strong influence on the ecosystem, leading to shifts in trophic levels, biomass, consumption rates, and diversity. The paper concludes that understanding these climate-driven changes is essential for informing future conservation efforts and ensuring the sustainability of the Beaufort Sea ecosystem.

Listen: Deep Dive > Climate Change & Impacting the Beaufort Sea Shelf

This paper argues that the newly adopted UN high seas Agreement, known as the BBNJ Agreement, may be a positive step toward climate action. The authors highlight the Agreement’s recognition of climate change’s impact on marine biodiversity, particularly the need to address warming and ocean acidification. They also discuss provisions within the BBNJ Agreement that could facilitate climate action, including area-based conservation measures, marine protected areas, and environmental impact assessments. Despite its potential, the authors caution that the success of the BBNJ Agreement will depend heavily on widespread ratification by states and effective implementation at the regional level.

Listen: Deep Dive > UN High Seas Treaty & Climate Action

This paper investigates the potential impacts of reduced seafood consumption on myocardial infarction (MI) risk among coastal First Nations in British Columbia. The study combines projected climate change scenarios, which are expected to decrease the availability of seafood, with the known effects of omega-3 fatty acids and mercury intake from seafood on cardiovascular health. The authors model the combined impact of these factors on MI risk in 2050 relative to 2009, finding a projected increase in MI risk, especially among older individuals and men. This study highlights the importance of sustainable seafood harvesting and access for coastal First Nations communities to maintain their health and cultural practices.

Listen: Deep Dive > Climate Change & Heart Health in Indigenous Communities

This paper outlines FishMIP 2.0, a new simulation framework for projecting the impacts of climate change and fishing on global marine ecosystems. FishMIP 2.0 aims to improve model skill by incorporating more realistic historical fishing data and future fisheries scenarios, enabling researchers to better understand past ecosystem changes and confidently project future scenarios. This framework, contributing to the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP), provides valuable tools for informing policy decisions to protect and manage ocean ecosystems and ensure the sustainable provision of seafood resources.

Listen: Deep Dive > Ocean Forecasting – FishMIP 2.0

This paper explores the potential impacts of climate change on the distribution and abundance of fish species in the Yellow Sea, an important fishing ground in China. The authors use a dynamic bioclimate envelope model (DBEM) to project how changes in sea surface and bottom temperatures will affect the distribution of nine representative fish species under different greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The results suggest that warmer water species and those that live closer to the surface will shift their ranges northward, while demersal fish, or those living on the seafloor, will experience less dramatic changes. The authors emphasize the need for sustainable fisheries management practices, such as limiting fishing effort, establishing marine reserves, and considering the potential consequences of climate change on fish populations and their habitats.

Listen: Deep Dive > How Climate Change is Impacting Fish

This paper examines the potential of seaweed farming to mitigate climate change and create a sustainable food source. The paper uses species distribution models to identify suitable locations globally for seaweed farming, considering various environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels. The authors found that approximately 20.8 million km² of the ocean is suitable for seaweed cultivation, with the highest potential areas located near coastlines. While countries like Australia, Russia, Canada, and the US have vast suitable areas, their current seaweed production is minimal due to several barriers such as underdeveloped markets and negative perceptions of mariculture. The study concludes that expanding seaweed farming can offer significant ecological and economic benefits, but responsible management is crucial to avoid potential risks to marine ecosystems.

Listen: Deep Dive > Seaweed Farming

This open letter argues that the World Trade Organization (WTO) must finalize an ambitious agreement to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies. These subsidies contribute to overfishing, biodiversity loss, and climate change, threatening the sustainability of the ocean and jeopardizing food security and livelihoods. The authors, a coalition of scientists including many from the Solving-FCB Project, call for strong regulations to prohibit subsidies that incentivize overcapacity and distant-water fishing, particularly those given to nations like China, the European Union, and the United States. They emphasize the importance of ensuring that any exemptions for subsidies are applied responsibly and do not create loopholes. The authors argue that the WTO must act decisively to protect the ocean and its resources for future generations.

Listen: Deep Dive > The Future of Seafood