University of Aberdeen is a major partner of new EU research project to investigate the effects of climate change on fish

In France, April 1 is referred to as Poisson d’Avril, or ‘April Fish day’ and French children are said to tape a picture of a fish on the back of their schoolmates, crying “Poisson d’Avril” when the prank is discovered.

ABERDEEN, 06-Apr-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — This ‘April Fish Day’ a new EU research project, of which the University of Aberdeen is a major partner,  will get underway to study the effect climate change is having on the sustainable growth of aquaculture and fisheries worldwide.

ClimeFish, which is funded by Horizon 2020, will investigate the impact of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture producers in the EU. The overall objective of ClimeFish is to support sustainable fisheries, enable an increase in sustainable European aquaculture and fisheries production, facilitate employment and regional development in the sectors, and develop forecasting and management tools for adapting to climate change.

ClimeFish will examine alternative scenarios and identify the risks and opportunities for fish production in the light of climate change.

Strategies to mitigate risk and capitalise on these opportunities will be identified in collaboration with stakeholders. These will serve to strengthen scientific advice and to improve long term production planning and policymaking.

Dr Paul Fernandes from University of Aberdeen’s School of Biological Sciences, said: ˝As the world population grows, the demand for nutritious and healthy food is increasing, however, it has been predicted that climate change may cause an overall decline in global fish production.

“I am delighted that the University of Aberdeen is invovled in this consortium and am looking forward to working with the various partners in order to try and address the issues climate change is causing for the aquaculture and fisheries industries.”

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New EU project will investigate the effects of climate change on fish