Post-pandemic hunger

By Paulina Hernández / phernandezj@udec.cl

According to the United Nations, the coronavirus pandemic will push 130 million people closer to the brink of starvation. Food shortages could arise due to a number of factors, including economic recessions, global political conflicts, decreased humanitarian aid, and a collapse in oil prices.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations published a book in April of this year. Titled El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effects on fisheries and aquaculture, this technical document synthesizes current knowledge on how the ENSO phenomenon and associated events impact fishing and aquaculture within the context of climate change.

This report is the outcome of international collaboration between France, Peru, Italy, and Chile. One contributor to the report was Chris Harrod, Alternate Director and researcher for the Millennium Nucleus of Invasive Salmonids (INVASAL) at the Universidad de Concepción and professor for the Alexander Von Humboldt Institute of Natural Sciences at the Universidad de Antofagasta.

In addition to describing the diversity, prognostics, and behavior of ENOS events under a scenario of climate change, the report also provided a global vision and regional evaluation for impacts of these phenomena. Focus was given to coral bleaching and damage to reefs and related fish habitats. Finally, the text summarized the lessons learned and perspectives on ENOS in a warmer ocean.

IMPACTING THE OCEAN

The book presented evaluations for the regional impacts of ENOS on marine fishing harvests, providing details for geographic zones in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The book likewise gives a comprehensive outlook on the diverse global impacts to ENOS arising from climate phenomena around the planet, in addition to detailing the status of aquaculture and fisheries worldwide.

The book concludes that current evidence suggests that, globally, the impact of ENOS on food security is due in large part to impacts on agriculture and not to fishing or aquaculture. Nevertheless, there is evidence for negative effects to livelihoods, security at sea and on land, and food security for local fishermen and fishery workers. ENOS events will enhance the effects of climate change for fish, fisheries, and aquaculture In particular, the combination of global warming and ENOS events will dramatically impact the coral reefs, triggering a series of consequences in the marine food chain. Therefore, the fishery and aquaculture sectors must learn to successfully adapt. Three aspects appear key for success: institutional adaptations; adaptations in livelihoods; and risk management and reduction for resilience. Independent of how adaptation is addressed, developing skills for adaptation will be fundamental.

This 264-page book is available in English and can be downloaded for free as a PDF (scan QR code to load webpage). This book provides insights into the future of commercial fishing and aquaculture, as based on statistical data collected by FAO and the scientific community.