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Impact of Sea Level Rise on Queensland’s Aquaculture Industry
Recent research from Griffith University reveals that over 43% of Queensland’s productive aquaculture sites face significant threats from rising sea levels.
According to projections, a staggering 98% of prawn farming sites and half of the total prawn production in the region could be adversely affected by this environmental change.
The anticipated economic repercussions are substantial, with potential annual losses estimated between AUD$12.6 to 22.6 million for barramundi and AUD$36.9 to 127.6 million for prawns by the year 2100.
Marina Christofidis, a lead researcher and PhD candidate at Griffith’s Australian Rivers Institute, emphasized Queensland’s pivotal role in Australia’s aquaculture landscape, as it is the country’s largest producer, mainly relying on coastal pond systems.
“Under high-emission scenarios, we anticipate a sea level increase of 0.8 meters by the year 2100,” she stated, highlighting the urgent need for action.
“Aquaculture is essential for sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food security. It plays a crucial role in meeting the rising demand for seafood and protein while remaining within environmental constraints.”
Christofidis underscored the vulnerability of the aquaculture sector to climate change challenges, necessitating a thorough assessment of these risks.
In conducting their research, she and her team utilized existing datasets on coastal inundation and erosion from the Queensland government, coupled with innovative satellite-derived data to pinpoint current aquaculture production sites. This comprehensive dataset encompassed 647.14 km², including 341 lots and 275 farms.
Among the various Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Queensland, certain regions are projected to experience heightened impacts due to rising sea levels. The analysis specifically highlights areas most at risk for productive prawn and barramundi ponds.
“These findings serve as an early warning for Queensland’s aquaculture industry,” noted Christofidis. “There’s a pressing need to incorporate climate risk considerations into planning and mitigation strategies for coastal industries, both in Australia and worldwide.”
For the sustainability of aquaculture in Queensland, she advocates for thoughtful planning concerning high-risk development areas situated in low-lying coastal zones, indicating that development in these regions must be flexible to accommodate potential future sea level increases to prevent misallocation of investments.
“Transitioning from traditional aquaculture methods to more resilient systems—such as combining prawn farming with nature-based coastal protection solutions, including mangroves, green seawalls, and artificial reefs—could significantly enhance the protection of aquaculture and its infrastructure,” Christofidis concluded.
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