Impacts of Climate Variability on Latin American Small-Scale Shellfisheries

Authors

  • Omar Defeo Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay.
  • Mauricio Castrejón Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
  • Leonardo Ortega Centro Universitario de la Región Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Rocha, Uruguay.
  • Angela M. Kuhn Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
  • Anita de Álava Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/dma.v32i0.36217

Keywords:

small-scale fisheries, invertebrates, climate variability, global change, resilience, ENSO, Latin America

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries play a vital role in food security and poverty alleviation in Latin America. These fisheries are being increasingly threatened by anthropogenic and climatic factors acting at different spatial and temporal scales. Recent results documenting the effects of climate variability on small-scale shellfisheries in Latin America are reviewed. The joint effects of two additional forcing agents are discussed: the globalization of markets and governance. Significant effects of climate variability (e.g., sea surface temperature anomalies) on small-scale fisheries were observed, which vary according to the life cycle of the species involved, the geographical distribution of the target species and the oceanographic characteristics of each region. Climatic variables, acting in conjunction with economic factors, have increased depletion rates of shellfish stocks. The need to improve governance and management systems to meet the growing uncertainty generated by the impacts of climate change and globalization of markets is highlighted.

Author Biography

Omar Defeo, Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay.

Dr. Omar Defeo is a Titular Professor at the Universidad de la República in Uruguay.  During the last 30 years, Defeo has worked on biodiversity conservation and the development of adaptive co-management approaches in artisanal shellfisheries, particularly on sandy beach ecosystems. His long-term research, which also includes experimental designs to better distinguish natural variability from anthropogenic impacts, showed that the threats to sandy beach ecosystems span a range from the local, such as trampling, through to the truly global, such as sea-level rise. His research also assesses the implementation of zoning strategies as tools for biodiversity conservation.

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Published

2014-12-18

How to Cite

Defeo, O., Castrejón, M., Ortega, L., Kuhn, A. M., & de Álava, A. (2014). Impacts of Climate Variability on Latin American Small-Scale Shellfisheries. Desenvolvimento E Meio Ambiente, 32. https://doi.org/10.5380/dma.v32i0.36217

Issue

Vol. 32 (2014): Enhancing ecosystem stewardship in small-scale fisheries

Section

Enhancing ecosystem stewardship in small-scale fisheries

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