(Gulf Coast, Thursday, April 13, 2023) – Climate change is stressing fisheries across the Gulf Coast. The increased number and severity of red tides has greatly impacted both fish populations and fisherman. Commercial shrimp, oyster, and crab fisheries are struggling.

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is working with partners and fishermen on solutions to help fisheries and the communities that rely on them become more climate-resilient.

Chris Free, a fishery research scientist at the University of California-Santa Barbara, worked with EDF to study the management rules for 500 U.S. fisheries, and developed recommendations that will help build climate-resilience.

SOUNDBITE #1:

THERE’S NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION FOR CREATING CLIMATE-RESILIENT FISHERIES, BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO NOW THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE SHORT AND LONG TERM.

Scott Hickman is a guide fisherman from Galveston, Texas.

SOUNDBITE #2:

I’VE SEEN ENTIRE STOCKS SHIFT OUT OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. WE USED TO CATCH 200 PLUS COBIA A SEASON. LAST YEAR IT WAS ONLY 12. BUT UP IN NEW JERSEY, A FRIEND PULLED IN OVER 80. THERE IS NO DENYING WE ARE FEELING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

For more information, visit fisherysolutionscenter.edf.org