Seafish is urging seafood businesses across the country to get up to speed on the impacts of climate change – both on seafood businesses, and by them.

In its new campaign, Seafish is highlighting the importance of both mitigation – reducing fishing’s contributions to climate change – and adaptation – preparing for and responding to the impacts of a changing climate. A suite of resources has been created to highlight the challenges and opportunities that these factors bring.

A short campaign film gives an overview of how climate change will impact the seafood industry. This is supported by case studies of businesses across the supply chain recognising and responding to these issues. There are also blogs with more information on climate change adaptation and mitigation, and links to tools and further resources.

Seafish is also launching a new e-alert that businesses can sign up for to receive climate change updates relevant to the industry. Quarterly email newsletters will bring together news on research, reports, consultations, funding opportunities and events.

Aoife Martin, director of operations at Seafish, said: “Climate change is now recognised as one of the major challenges facing humanity. The impacts will affect us all, and the seafood sector and individual businesses must respond. We’re launching a campaign on the implications for the seafood supply chain ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place in Glasgow next month. Witnessing global discussions on climate change in our backyard reminds us of the significant challenges we all face.

“We already know that seafood has a lower carbon emissions profile than other sources of protein, and that eating the recommended two portions of seafood a week can be part of a climate- kind flexitarian diet. However, businesses still need to work to meet government targets for net-zero emissions within the next 30 years. They also need to adapt to the impacts that a changing climate will bring to their businesses on land and at sea. Some of these changes – increased storms and changing air and water temperatures – are affecting us now.

“Many in the seafood industry are aware of these challenges and preparing to face them head on. It’s vital that businesses have access to the right information to help them navigate this complex topic, so we’re collating resources to support the seafood sector.

“We also want businesses to understand the opportunities associated with contributing to net-zero targets, so we’re also sharing case studies to highlight some positive work already underway. Businesses can find out more and sign up for updates on our website at: seafish.org/climate- change-seafood.”

You can watch the film here.

Keep it with Fishing News for our special feature on industry responses to the climate crisis as the COP26 conference in Glasgow gets underway. Subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.

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