Climate Change
Climate change is fundamentally altering Western Australia’s marine environment through warmer oceans, ocean acidification, rising sea levels, and reduced rainfall. These changes are creating significant challenges for our commercial fishing industry as species distribution and abundance shift, marine heatwaves cause mass fish kills, and vital habitats like seagrass and kelp beds face disruption.
Key Climate Impacts on WA Fisheries
Marine Heatwaves represent one of our most immediate threats. Increased ocean temperatures trigger devastating marine heatwaves that have caused mass fish kills, including recent incidents near Karratha, and wiped out entire fisheries like the 2010-11 Abrolhos Islands scallop collapse.
Habitat Degradation from warmer waters and acidification threatens the foundation of our marine food webs. Loss of seagrass meadows and kelp beds disrupts entire ecosystems that commercial fisheries depend upon.
Species Distribution Changes are already evident across WA waters. Shifting ocean currents and warming temperatures alter fish stock locations—octopus pollutions have increased while scallop populations have declined, demonstrating the variable impacts on different species.
Increased Variability in fish stocks and catches affects supply consistency, creating challenges for both fishers and seafood consumers who rely on predictable harvests.
Our commitment
In line with WAFIC’s Climate Change Policy, we acknowledge the global importance of addressing climate change and are committed to helping Western Australia’s commercial fishing industry adapt to its impacts.
Our commitment includes:
- Understanding our carbon footprint through comprehensive industry assessment
- Encouraging low-emission technologies in fishing operations and supply chains
- Supporting targeted research to understand climate impacts on WA’s fish resources
- Developing waste reduction strategies including plastic usage throughout the industry
Collaborative Adaptation Efforts
WAFIC actively supports research initiatives like Sea Change Australia, which brings together commercial fishers, researchers, and managers to develop climate-resilient management strategies. This collaborative approach ensures our industry adapts to evolving conditions while maintaining sustainable fishing practices. Collaborative Adaptation Efforts
WAFIC actively supports research initiatives like Sea Change Australia, which brings together commercial fishers, researchers, and managers to develop climate-resilient management strategies. This collaborative approach ensures our industry adapts to evolving conditions while maintaining sustainable fishing practices.
For more information check out these links:
