Data for: Projecting global mariculture production and adaptation pathways under climate change

Results show positive global mariculture production changes by the mid and end of the 21st century relative to the 2000s under the SSP1-2.6 scenario with an increase of 33%±6 and 17%±5 respectively. However, under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, an increase of 8%±5 is projected, which peaks by the mid-century and declines by 16%±5 towards the end of the 21st century. More than 25% of mariculture-producing nations are projected to lose 40-90% of their current mariculture production potential under SSP5-8.5 by mid-century.

Projected impacts are mainly due to the direct ocean warming effects on farmed species and suitable marine areas, and the indirect impacts of changing availability of forage fishes supplies to produce aquafeed. Fishmeal replacement with alternative protein can lower climate impacts on a subset of finfish production. However, such adaptation measures do not apply to regions dominated by non-feed-based farming (i.e., molluscs) and regions losing substantial marine areas suitable for mariculture.

Our study highlights the importance of strong mitigation efforts and the need for different climate adaptation options tailored to the diversity of mariculture systems, to support climate-resilient mariculture development.