Abstracts

Past, Present and Future Canadian Perspectives of Impact and Adaptation Responses of Fish and Fisheries to Climate Variation and Change

Mark Johannes
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
mark@fishclimate.ca

This paper presents a retrospective analysis of international and Canadian research on fish, fisheries impact and adaptation responses to climate variation and change, and explores future directions needed in fisheries research across Canada. My discussion demonstrates a priority for future research, management and policy into fisheries climate impact and adaptation issues by teams across multiple domains of the human social systems. As an immediate response, "adaptation" research should be supported to explore risks, vulnerabilities and benefits to fisheries, fisheries management and communities by assuming vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change. Adaptation research can be used to adjust practices, processes, management and structures of systems based on projected social and resource vulnerability to climate change.

2005-04-05