How fisheries in Maine are restructuring amid a warming waters – WMTW

Report on the Impact of Climate Change on Maine Fisheries and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Fisheries in Maine represent a critical economic and nutritional resource, providing thousands of jobs and millions of servings of sustainable protein. However, the industry faces significant challenges due to climate change, particularly warming waters in the Gulf of Maine, which is the fastest-warming body of water globally. The year 2024 ranked as the 12th warmest year on record, impacting marine ecosystems and necessitating adaptive strategies within the fishing community.

Climate Change Effects on Fisheries

1. Species Migration: Fish species are shifting their geographic locations in response to changing water temperatures, seeking optimal thermal conditions.
2. Ecosystem Alterations: These shifts disrupt predator-prey dynamics, fundamentally changing the marine ecosystem that fisheries depend upon.

Industry Response and Adaptation

According to Jonathan Labaree, Chief Community Officer at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), the fisheries sector is adapting through research, innovation, and collaborative management:

• Research Initiatives: Enhanced understanding of ecological changes enables the development of new solutions.
• Collaborative Management: Stakeholders discuss fishing rights, gear usage, and seasonal regulations to sustainably manage resources.
• Innovative Gear Design: GMRI collaborates with fishermen to design selective nets that target specific species while avoiding others.

Socioeconomic Importance and Conservation Efforts

• Maine’s lobster fishery supports approximately 5,000 families, with additional fisheries supporting many more.
• Beyond harvesters, multiple supply chain workers contribute to delivering seafood to consumers.
• Conservation efforts are strengthened by integrating fishermen’s perspectives and scientific research to sustainably manage marine resources.

Role of Local Communities and Sustainable Consumption

Local consumers play a vital role in supporting sustainable fisheries by:

• Shopping locally and embracing diverse seafood varieties.
• Engaging with fishmongers for informed purchasing decisions.
• Choosing restaurants that prioritize responsibly harvested seafood.

The Gulf of Maine Tastemakers Program, initiated by GMRI, facilitates responsible seafood consumption in southern New England.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – By providing sustainable protein sources, Maine fisheries contribute to food security.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The fisheries sector supports thousands of jobs and economic livelihoods.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Encouraging sustainable seafood consumption promotes responsible resource use.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – Research and adaptive management address climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.
5. SDG 14: Life Below Water – Conservation and sustainable fisheries management protect marine biodiversity and ecosystems.

Conclusion

Maine’s fisheries are confronting complex challenges posed by climate change, necessitating integrated approaches that combine scientific research, community collaboration, and sustainable consumption practices. These efforts directly support multiple Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring the long-term viability of marine resources and the communities that depend on them.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article highlights the importance of fisheries in providing sustainable protein to millions, contributing to food security.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Fisheries provide thousands of jobs, supporting livelihoods and economic activity in Maine.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article discusses the impact of warming waters and climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries.
4. SDG 14: Life Below Water – The focus on marine life, sustainable fishing practices, ecosystem changes, and conservation efforts directly relates to this goal.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborative research and management involving fishermen, scientists, and organizations like GMRI illustrate partnerships to address complex challenges.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

• SDG 2 Targets:
  • 2.1 – End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
  • 2.4 – Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
• SDG 8 Targets:
  • 8.3 – Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, and entrepreneurship.
• SDG 13 Targets:
  • 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
  • 13.3 – Improve education, awareness, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
• SDG 14 Targets:
  • 14.2 – Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
  • 14.4 – Effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
  • 14.7 – Increase economic benefits to small island developing states and least developed countries from sustainable use of marine resources.
• SDG 17 Targets:
  • 17.16 – Enhance global partnerships for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Indicators related to SDG 2:
  • Prevalence of undernourishment or access to sustainable protein sources (implied by the role of fisheries in providing protein).
  • Measures of sustainable food production systems (implied by research and innovation in fisheries management).
• Indicators related to SDG 8:
  • Number of jobs supported by the fisheries sector (explicitly mentioned as thousands of jobs).
  • Economic contribution of fisheries to local communities.
• Indicators related to SDG 13:
  • Sea surface temperature changes (explicitly mentioned as Gulf of Maine being the fastest-warming body of water).
  • Adaptive measures taken by fisheries to climate change (implied by research and innovation efforts).
• Indicators related to SDG 14:
  • Fish species distribution and abundance (implied by species shifting locations and ecosystem changes).
  • Effectiveness of fishing gear in selective harvesting (explicitly mentioned research on nets to catch certain species and avoid others).
  • Conservation status of marine species.
• Indicators related to SDG 17:
  • Number and effectiveness of multi-stakeholder partnerships (implied by collaboration between GMRI, fishermen, and other stakeholders).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: wmtw.com