Climate Change

Our climate is changing. There is new and stronger evidence that the earths climate has changed and that this change has accelerated in recent decades. Fisheries and aquaculture sectors are expected to face unprecedented challenges due to climate change. In their ‘Implications of Climate Change for Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture’ (external link) report, the CSIRO concludes that Victoria’s south eastern coastal waters are among the most vulnerable in Australia to the impacts of climate change and the drought conditions already being experienced in Victoria’s inland waterways are expected to continue. Without adequate preparation, understanding and adaptation to the changes, our ecologically sustainable and viable fisheries and aquaculture sectors will be at risk and opportunities will be lost. It is vital that we ensure Victoria’s fisheries are sustainably managed in the long term. How do we prepare for the challenges ahead?

The Victorian Government (external link) is strongly committed to preparing for climate change and has a comprehensive suite of actions for all Victorians. Victoria’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors are important to Victoria. They make a significant contribution to the Victorian regional economy and provide important leisure opportunities. It is vital that we prepare for these changes. If we don’t, the sustainability of our fisheries resources will be adversely affected and we may miss opportunities that arise. To provide direction for the Victorian Government’s activities related to climate change, the Victorian Climate Change Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2008-2018 was released in December 2008 by the Hon Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper. Implementation of this Strategy will be supported by the Adaptation of fisheries and fisheries management to climate change program which was funded from the Future Farming strategy to boost services, drive growth and innovation and to assist farming, fisheries and aquaculture sectors respond to new challenges.