Fish also have natural adaptation mechanisms.
Since their appearance in Earth’s waters, they have genetically evolved to not only survive, but thrive in a variety of environments.
In addition to genetic adaptability at the generational level, fish also exhibit short-term phenotypic plasticity that allows them to adapt to temperature and other weather conditions.
Together, these mechanisms act as a defense against the negative effects of the environment.
Despite all this, it is not uncommon to read news stories about the imminent collapse of fisheries due to the so-called climate crisis.
The real data, however, contradict such negative news and indicate that fisheries will actually increase in the coming decades.
A 2016 scientific study compiled the largest database of its kind and matched it with state-of-the-art bioeconomic models for more than 4,500 fisheries worldwide, showing how fisheries worldwide will benefit from the increase in marine species.
Of course, the extent of commercial success will depend on the laws enacted by individual countries.
In 2020, there will be a record production of 214 million tons from both wild fisheries and aquaculture.
According to The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 report, this production is expected to grow by another 14 percent by 2030.
In addition, according to the OECD and FAO, which published their latest research on the subject in their latest Agricultural Outlook, fish is also expected to become more affordable, with prices likely to fall between 2024 and 2029.
In 2017, approximately 65 percent of fish stocks were biologically sustainable.
The index for the health of global fish populations is defined by maximum sustainable yield (MSY), which is the equilibrium point at which fish stocks can sustain themselves without fishing restrictions.
The latest report, published in 2022, states that the number of fish caught from biologically sustainable stocks is also increasing.
This means that the amount of fish caught can be increased without jeopardizing individual species (or fisheries in general).
Although some species remain of concern, studies show that in regions where we have good population data, most fish stocks are stable or improving.
In short, any threat to fisheries certainly does not come from “empty” seas, but rather from the impact of activities such as illegal fishing and overfishing.
It is also now certain that fish, an important source of protein, will be available in large quantities for a long time to come.
Once again, reality contradicts the false climate crisis that now dominates media and political attention every day.
