Commercial and Subsistence Fishing
Subsistence and commercial hunting and fishing will decrease from warmer temperatures and subsequent shifts in migratory patterns and population life cycles.
Salmon
- Warmer rivers from climate change are endangering salmon.
- 2006: 40 million fewer than expected of pink salmon in harvest because of the hottest temperatures (The Anchorage Daily News, 10/2/06) .
- 30-50% of human-induced carbon dioxide is stored in the ocean (Alaska Climate Impact Assessment).
- Ocean acidification will impact the ability of corals, mollusks, mussels, crabs, oysters, and clams to make shellsfrom calcium carbonate.
Implication for commercial fisheries
- Seafood, besides oil and gas, is the main export of Alaska, accounting for a $1.4 billion industry and 23% of the workforce (US Global Change Research Program).
- Problem as capelin, herring, salmon, and sea crab populations decrease from climate change effects or otherwise migrating to Russia (Alaska Department of Fish and Game).
- Subsistence hunting and fishing will decrease from warmer temperatures and subsequent shifts in migratory patterns and population life cycles.
- Replacement costs of subsistence are approximately $5,000-$14,000 thousand per year (US Global Research Program). 40% of this subsistence is from fish.
