New England is known for its fresh and savory seafood, and the fishing industry is a vital source of jobs and income for local economies. But challenges presented by climate change – ocean acidification and increased ocean temperatures – could have major economic consequences for New England fishing ports.
One coastal community that relies on fishing is New Bedford, which is currently the top-earning fishing port in New England. Furthermore, in 2009 New Bedford was ranked as the top-earning U.S. port with commercial fishery revenues of $249.2 million (NMFS statistics). New Bedford’s commercial success has been in large part due to its profitable scallop fleet, which is its highest grossing species without fail.
Scallops, in addition to other shelled mollusks (like clams, oysters, and mussels), are directly threatened by ocean acidification. Mollusks are particularly vulnerable during their developmental stages and have shown decreased rates of calcification (shell-making), growth, and survival. One study compared preindustrial pH levels to today’s, as well as to predicted future levels, and it demonstrated that the effects of OA can already be seen in current Atlantic scallop populations, which are smaller than those reared under preindustrial conditions. The study also showed that scallops grew to be much smaller under future acidic conditions projected to occur at the end of this century. Moreover, the scallops developed weaker, damaged shells and hinges, inhibiting their ability to feed.
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