Climate change
will have many impacts on marine ecosystems, and on human uses of them.
Improved scientific support for policy and management decision-making
in the face of these potential impacts is essential. In response to this
need, interdisciplinary research teams have been formed around the world
to analyze data and develop models to explore the likelihood and nature
of future ecosystem states and strategies for sustainable use in these
future states. To facilitate the advancement of this critical research,
ICES, PICES and FAO are holding an international symposium. This symposium
will provide a forum for scientists and policymakers to discuss the potential
impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and our uses of these ecosystems,
and to consider the strategies that society can take to be prepared for
anticipated impacts. Quantitative studies of the potential impact of climate
change on fish and fisheries throughout the world will be featured.
The symposium will:
provide a forum to discuss techniques for investigating the impacts of climate change on population parameters, distribution, migration, production, and/OR abundance of fish and shellfish in capture and cultured fisheries and on food web processes supporting fish and shellfish;
provide an opportunity for scientists to discuss their observational,
analytical and modeling approaches with other research teams in order
to stimulate methodological improvements;
allow experts to identify analytical techniques needed
to reliably forecast climate change impacts on marine fish and shellfish
populations including methods for quantifying the uncertainty in projections
and ways to address the uncertainty in policy and management;
allow experts from diverse disciplines to discuss
policies and strategies for society and users of marine resources
to consider in the face of a changing climate and altered marine ecosystems.
