Nereus research fellow Muhammed Oyinlola (UBC) has his Ph.D. Final Oral Defense – Global seafood production from mariculture: current status, trends and its future under climate change.

Where: Room 203, Graduate Student Centre (6371 Crescent Road) at University of British Columbia – Vancouver, Canada

Abstract:
Most fish stocks in the world are already fully- or over- exploited and that their potential catches are projected to decrease further under climate change. Mariculture has been suggested to be a panacea for sustainable seafood production. However, climate change can also impact marine farming systems directly and indirectly. This thesis aims to understand the potential future contribution of mariculture to global seafood production under climate change. Firstly, based on an updated mariculture production database and farmed species price database that I created, this thesis shows that mariculture continues to grow globally at 4.4% per year (2011-2015). Secondly, using the quantitative modelling tools, I estimated that the global area suitable for mariculture production amounts to 72 million km2. The diversity of mariculture production is projected to decline by 10 to 40%, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Also, the risks and vulnerabilities of the future of mariculture will be exacerbated if the world becomes more regionalized particularly towards trades and markets, with low environmental awareness and concerns. Overall, the findings of this thesis suggest that the sustainable production of seafood from mariculture is uncertain in the 21st century under climate change.