Fish jeopardised by climate change

Fish populations in rivers, lakes and the sea are under threat from climate change, in addition to the damaging effects of unsustainable fishing practices, a new report from conservation group WWF has revealed. The results of the research has added further pressure on the UK government to clarify its position on climate change at the upcoming Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Montreal.

According to the report, titled ‘Are we putting our fish in hot water?’, rising temperatures are expected to stunt the growth of various fish species, resulting in fewer offspring. It could also lead to fish populations moving to cooler waters to maintain their normal habitat temperature.

The changing fish levels have already impacted on seabird breeeding during 2005, with sharp declines in kittiwake and puffin populations.

"Climate change increases the pressure on fish populations that are already strained to the limit by over fishing in the marine environment,” said Andrew Lee, Director of Campaigns for WWF-UK. “We must act urgently to reduce both carbon dioxide emissions and fishing pressures to protect fish populations as they are one of the world's most valuable biological, nutritional and economic assets."

Tom Le Quesne, Freshwater Policy Officer for WWF-UK added; "Fishermen around the country who have seen rivers almost disappearing in the last few summers are already providing vivid testimony to the impacts of climate change."