The results from these studies were launched by the MCCIP this week at the 6th World Fisheries Congress, held in Edinburgh on Wednesday, May 8.

The Rt Hon Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, addressed the audience at the launch and confirmed the importance of the MCCIP and its review in informing government.

Professor Andrew Rowley from the University’s Department of Biosciences attended the launch in Edinburgh on behalf of the Swansea authors.

He said: “The review, which has been published in the Annual Marine Climate Change Report Card and in the journal, Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, is an excellent example of how aquaculture research in Swansea University informs governmental and non-governmental organisations.

“Our study advises such organisations of the likely outcomes of climate change in future years.”

The lead author of the review, Dr Ruth Callaway, who was responsible for coordinating the team of scientists from several universities in the UK and Ireland, said: “Disentangling effects of climate change from other natural or anthropogenic changes is a tremendous challenge for scientists.

“The review and the MCCIP report card highlight the subject areas we need to focus on next.”   

The MCCIP partnership is supported by several governmental bodies in the UK, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and in Wales, by the Welsh Government and the Countryside Council forWales.

Studies in Swansea University were supported by several key awards including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funded project, SEACAMS, the Climate Change for Wales (C3W) programme, and the ERDF Ireland Wales Interreg IVa grants, EcoJel and SUSFISH.

For more information see:

Callaway R et al (2012). Review of climate change impacts on marine aquaculture in the UK and Ireland. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (doi: 10.1002/aqc.2247) www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.2247/abstract.

MCCIP (2012) Marine Climate Change Impacts on Fish, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Eds Frost, M et al) Summary Report, Lowestoft, 12 pp (www.mccip.org.uk).