E3S Web of Conferences 53, 03072 (2018) https://doi.org/10.

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Impact of Climate Change on Major Marine Industries

Hao Kong1, Wei Yang2, a, Ping Zhang3 and Ricai Peng1
1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Coast and Island Management Technology, Fujian Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen 361013, P.R.
China;
2Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, P.R. China;
3China Institute of Marine Affairs, Beijing 100161, P.R. China

Abstract. Marine economic activities are mainly distributed in areas with extremely fragile ecological
environment, rising sea level, rising sea surface temperature, ocean acidification and extreme weather
events, etc. These activities have major impacts on the environment and ecosystems of fragile marine and
coastal areas, posing a major threat to sustainable development of marine economy. This paper reviews
recent researches on the impact of climate change on various marine industries. The results show that
climate change has remarkable impacts on marine economy, and some marine industries are especially
sensitive. There are both negative and positive consequences of climate change, but no doubt, the negative
effects dominate. The government should take pertinent measures to mitigate the adverse effects of climate
change.

1 Introduction 2 Impact of Climate Change on Marine

Fisheries and Fishery Resources
Climate change is an indisputable fact. Over the past 100
years, especially in the past 2 to 3 decades, earth's Many experts and scholars have investigated the impact
climate is significantly warming up. The Fifth IPCC of climate change on marine fishery resources, marine
Assessment Report[1] further confirmed the significant aquaculture and marine fishing. Nissling et al.[4] pointed
impact of climate change on the socio-economic system, out that climate change affects the salinity of the Baltic
natural ecosystem, and human survival and development. Sea, causing the fertilized eggs of Atlantic salmon to
Studies have shown that climate change has led to sink due to decreased sea water density, and die in an
frequent occurrences of extreme weather events, threats oxygen-deficient environment, so that the reproduction
or even causes irreversible damage to the ecosystem, and of the fish population is severely threatened. According
results in global economic and social losses. to Grandcourt and Cesar[5], the increase in seawater
Due to the special geographical environment and temperature has resulted in serious coral bleaching,
high level human activities in the coastal zone, the which changed the habitat of coral reef fish, reduced its
ecological environments are extremely fragile in the abundance, and even threated survival of the species.
context of climate change[2]. Roessing et al.[6] analyzed the impact of climate change
Rising sea level and surface temperature, ocean on physiology, natural environment, thus growth of
acidification, extreme weather events, etc., caused by tropical, temperate and frigid fishes, and the consequent
climate change, have major impacts on the environment, impact on self-support, commercial, and recreational
ecosystems of fragile marine and coastal areas. It pose a fisheries. The data shows that climate change has led to
major threat to sustainable development of marine an increase in oxygen consumption by fish, which
economy.. influences foraging and migratory behavior of fish in
Accordingly, comprehensive analysis of the impact polar sea areas and bleached coral reefs, and predicts that
of climate change on various marine industries would significant changes in fish distribution can be caused by
provide the scientific basis for formulation of strategies minimal changes in temperature. Another key aspect of
and policies to combat climate change and promote climate change that impacts fisheries is seawater
development of marine economy, which would be of acidification. Hunt et al.[7] pointed out that seawater
great practical significance. However, few articles on acidification affects the calcification of plankton, and
climate change have comprehensively discussed its this effect will affect other populations through the food
overall impact on the marine economy. Previous chain; Gazuau et al.[8] suggested that important economic
research results have focused only on individual marine species, such as oysters and mussels, will be the first to
industries that are most sensitive to climate change, such be affected as the pH and carbonate ion concentration
as marine fisheries and coastal tourism. decrease. In the latest report released by the IPCC[1],
using the SRES A1B scenario, the maximum catch for
*Corresponding author: a [email protected]

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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ICAEER 2018

1,000 species of fishes and invertebrates was estimated analyzed the impact of climate change on the temporal
at a global scale. Taking China's coastal areas as and spatial distribution of tourism climate resources in
example, the maximum potential catch in China's coastal North America based on the Tourism Climate Index
areas would reduce to varying degrees in the 2050s, with (TCI). The results showed that by the end of the 21st
an average reduction between 6% and 30%, and more century, the tourism climate resources in North America
than 50% in some areas. will be extensively redistributed. More cities in the
As to the impact of climate change on China's fishery United States will become tourist destinations in the
resources and marine fisheries, domestic scholars have winter months, while traditional winter sunshine shores
conducted some research. Liu Yunfen[9] explored the in Florida and Mexico will be negatively affected.
possible impacts of rising sea temperatures on total Amelung et al.[16] also analyzed the potential risks of
amount and yield of major economic fish in the four climate change to the global tourism industry based on
major sea regions of China using the Fish Bioenergetics the TCI. The results show that climate change will lead
Model 2. The simulation results suggested that by 2030, to spatial and temporal redistribution of tourism
yield of the major economic fish species in the for major resources: the ideal tourist climate conditions is expected
sea regions would decrease to varying degrees due to to migrate to high-latitude areas, and the tourism seasons
climate change—the total amount would decrease by would also be affected, for example, the peak period of
5%-15% and the yield by 1%-8%. And the South China tourism in the Mediterranean region will shift from the
Sea area would be the most severely affected: the total summer months to the intermediate months. Amelung
amount would decrease by more than 10% and yield by and Nicholls[17] pointed out that climate change will lead
nearly 10%. Zhang Xuemin et al.[10] conducted a to the migration of Australia's ideal tourism destination
preliminary study on the relationship between the sea to the south, while the climate conditions in the northern
surface temperature and the interannual variability of tourism regions will be less attractive. In addition, there
mackerel scad fish stock based on historical data. The are a large number of studies focusing on Small Island
results showed certain correlation between changes in Developing States (SIDS), which are extremely
sea surface temperature anomalies and mackerel scad vulnerable to climate change. Attzs[18], Nurse et al.[19]
fish stock index on the decadal scale. Since 1992, the investigated the impact of climate change on tourism
proportion of temperate fish has dropped by 10-20%, industry of SIDSs: sea level rise, frequent occurrence of
and the proportion of warm-water fish has increased, and typhoon and other extreme disasters, the intensification
the change postponed by 4 years after changes in water of coastal erosion, and the outbreak of climate-sensitive
temperature. Wang Yuezhong et al.[11] analyzed the diseases caused by climate change may all reduce the
changes in finfish catches in the northern South China attractiveness of small islands as a preferred tourist
Sea based on long-term serial fishery statistics and destination.
climate change data, and found that finfish catches in the As to the impact of climate change on domestic
northern South China Sea was not only related to fishing tourism, Ren[20] analyzed the impact of climate change-
pressure, but also related to climate change. Global related key risks on China's tourism industry through
warming may cause an increase in rainfall in simulations of China's future climatic conditions: an
surrounding land areas in the future, and with increased increase in winter temperature may lead to gradual shift
input of terrestrial nutrients, the primary productivity of of tourism destinations to the north; more rainfall in the
the ocean would be enhanced, which would contribute to north will accelerate erosion of local cultural landscapes
the production of finfish fishery in the region. Chen such as ancient buildings in the summer; rising sea level,
Yunlong[12] suggested that the increase of water frequent storm surges, and accelerated shoreline erosion
temperature caused by climate change and the changes will destroy coastal roads, hotels and other tourist
of environmental capacity will lead to a significant facilities. Ma Li and Fang Xiuqi[21] discussed the impact
northward migration of squid resources in the middle of climate warming on the seasonal tourism of the Peach
and southern Yellow Sea, the center of these resources Blossom Festival in Beijing Botanical Garden based on
would move northward by up to 2.5-2.7° in the next 30 historical data analysis. The results showed that the
years, 0.09° per year on average. average start date of Peach Blossom Festival after 1994
was about 6 days earlier than that in the earlier years; in
general, climate warming would make the Peach
3 Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Blossom Festival last longer, but climate fluctuations
Tourism lead to uncertainty in seasonal tourism products, which
is detrimental to this industry and the associated socio-
Coastal tourism is highly vulnerable to changes in the economic interests. Xi Jianchao et al.[22] used the
service functions of the ecosystem, such as coral reef climate-tourism flow model to simulate and predict the
bleaching, and frequent extreme weather events such as impact of climate change on the tourism flows in the five
strong storm surges and extreme precipitation. With the southern provinces of Zhejiang, Guangdong, Hainan,
rising sea level and sea surface temperature, and Sichuan, and Yunnan. The results suggested that the
intensified coastal erosion and destruction of shoreline winter tourism flows in all these regions would generally
infrastructure by storm, the coastal tourism industry grow, with Guangdong as the leading province; while in
become more vulnerable[13]. Mclnnes et al.[14] analyzed summer, tourism flow in all these regions would
the negative impact of sea level rise and storm surge on decrease, especially in Guangdong and Hainan. Tang et
seaside resorts in Queensland, Australia. Scott[15] al.[23] established an evaluation system to analyze the

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impact of climate change on tourism in Xiamen, and 6 Summary and Suggestions

clarified the extent to which Xiamen’s tourism
development would be affected by climate change. Liu Current studies suggest that climate change has a
Shaojun et al.[24] discussed the decline in climate comfort remarkable impact on marine economy, and some
and decrease in number of tourists in certain months marine industries are especially vulnerable. There are
(April, July, and October) in Hainan caused by climate both negative and positive consequences of climate
change basing on the tourism-climate index model. change. Negatively, rise in sea surface temperature will
lead to decreased fishery resources, seawater
acidification will affect the growth of crustaceans, sea
4 Impact of Climate Change on Other level rise will inundate coastal tourism facilities and port
Major Marine Industries facilities, extreme weather conditions will affect coastal
tourism, disrupt port operations, interfere oil and gas
The negative impact of climate change on the marine platforms, etc. Positively, high-latitude regions will
transportation industry is mainly reflected in two aspects: attract more tourists, and implementing carbon reduction
the loss caused by climate disasters and the pressure of policies can promote the development of the ocean
emission reduction policies on the shipping industry. In energy industry.
terms of losses caused by climate disasters: sea level rise On the whole, however, negative and unfavorable
will decrease the relative height of port terminals and effects dominate. The government should take pertinent
warehouses, resulting in increased risk of storm surge measures to mitigate the adverse effects of climate
floods and impaired port function[25]; extreme weather change.
events will lead to breaks in harbor operations and 1) Implement effective countermeasures. Enhance
transportation, damage to facilities, and staff research on climate change monitoring and forecasting,
casualties[13]. In addition, the low-carbon shipping model and establish a technology support system to adapt to
promoted for climate change mitigation[26,27] has a more climate change. Strengthen the construction of coastal
significant impact on the shipping industry: the ship, moisture-proof facilities and improve the design
power, route, and management systems all need to be standards of damp-proof facilities to cope with the
improved[28]. impact of extreme sea-level rise scenarios. Strengthen
Climate change also has a potential impact on the the monitoring and early warning capabilities for
exploitation and utilization of marine resources, and the typhoons and storm surges. Optimize distribution of
offshore oil and gas platforms are particularly marine industries and focuses of industrial development,
vulnerable[13]. On the other hand, actions to mitigate including: developing high-latitude ocean fishery
climate change will promote the development of ocean industry; strengthening prevention of marine aquaculture,
energy industry[29,30], which seeks to achieve carbon especially mudflat aquaculture; optimizing the
reduction goals by increasing the contribution of ocean distribution of port terminals and coastal tourism
energy to national energy structure. facilities to enhance their adaptability to sea level rise;
and encouraging development of marine industries with
5 Identification of the key impacts of high added value, such as marine chemicals, marine
biological medicine, and ocean power, which are less
climate change on marine economy affected by climate change.
The impacts of climate change are driven by the 2) Conduct active mitigation actions. Formulate
following 5 aspects: sea level rise, sea surface reasonable emission reduction targets and paths, taking
temperature rise, acidification of seawater, extreme socio-economic welfare into account. Optimize the
weather, and emission reduction policies. Basing on marine industrial structure and develop green and low-
review of the above studies on the impact of climate carbon marine industries. On one hand, it is necessary to
change on marine economy and expert consultations, this transform and upgrade the growth mode of traditional
section summarizes the impact of the different drivers on marine economy. For example, by improving the energy
marine industries (Table 1). According to the statistics efficiency and changing energy structure of high-energy-
of the “Statistical Bulletin of China's Marine Economy”, consuming oceanic sectors, such as marine mining and
analysis of the impact on the marine economy in this salt industry, ocean chemical industry, marine ship
study included 12 major marine industries, which are manufacturing industry, and marine transportation
marine fisheries, offshore oil and gas industry, marine industry, it will not only achieve the goal of reducing
salt industry, marine biological medicine, marine mining, carbon emissions, but also reduce the adverse effects of
and oceanography, marine transportation industry, carbon tax policy implementation on these industries. On
marine chemical industry, ocean construction industry, the other hand, we should vigorously promote the
ocean power industry, marine shipbuilding industry, development of marine energy industry, which would
seawater utilization industry, and coastal tourism. And play an important role in changing the energy structure
the specific interpretations and definitions of different and realizing the development of a low-carbon economy.
marine industries are based on the contents of Appendix
2 of the “Statistical Bulletin of China's Marine
Economy”.

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Table 1. Key Impacts of Climate Change and Emission Reduction Policies on Marine Industries.
Sea surface Seawater Emission reduction
Sea-level rise Extreme weather
temperature rise acidification policy
1. Inundation of 1. Change the 1. Influence the life
1. Damage
beach culture areas; habitat environment, history of fish, 1. Energy
aquaculture facilities;
2. Inundation of and reduce fish change the habitat conservation and
Marine 2. Affect the normal
factory buildings population; environment, reduce emission reduction
fishery development of
which affects 2. Change the fish population, and affect marine
outdoor farming and
aquatic product spatial distribution affect marine fishing.
fishing activities.
processing. of fishery resources. fishing.
1. Change the
1. Affect exploration,
Marine oil 1. Increase the energy structure
transportation and
and gas difficulty and cost and reduce the
other production
industry of mining. need for fossil
activities.
fuels.
1. Change the
1. Increase the 1. Affect coastal ore
Ocean energy structure
difficulty and cost and other mining
mining and reduce the
of mining. activities.
demand for coal.
1. Inundation of
existing salt pan; 1. Storm surge
1. Change the
Ocean salt 2. Inundation of the damages salt fields;
existing production
industry factory buildings 2. Affect outdoor salt
mode.
and affect salt mining activities.
processing.
1. Reduce number of
1. Inundation of the days for normal
Marine 1. Change the
factory and affect production activity.
chemical existing production
normal production However, the impact
industry mode.
activities. on indoor production
is relatively low.
1. Reduce number of
1. Inundation of the days for normal
Marine 1. Change the
factory and affect production activity.
biomedici existing production
normal production However, the impact
ne mode.
activities. on indoor production
is relatively low.
1. Storm surge
1. Change the
1. Increase the increases the number
energy structure
construction cost; of off days for the
and increase the
Marine 2. Some wind turbines;
demand for clean
power turbines would be 2. Storm surge
energy such as
industry flooded and increases the
offshore wind
additional protection construction cost of
energy and ocean
is needed. tidal and wave power
energy.
station.
1. Reduce number of
1. Inundation of the days for normal
Seawater 1. Change the
factory and affect production activity.
utilization existing production
normal production However, the impact
industry mode.
activities. on indoor production
is relatively low.
1. Inundation of 1. Affect outdoor
Marine docks and factories; ship repair and
1. Change the
ship 2. Heightening of dismantling;
existing production
building the port would 2. Increase cost for
mode.
industry increase production protection against
costs. storm surges.
1. The demand for
1. Promote the
construction of
development of
Marine protective
marine engineering
engineerin infrastructures rises; 1. Change the
construction;
g 2. Increase existing production
2. Reduce the
constructi construction costs; mode.
number of days for
on 3. Inundation of
normal outdoor
existing production
construction work.
facilities.

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1. The storm surge

affects the number of
1. Inundation of port
days for normal sea
Marine terminals affect
transportation;
transportat normal production 1. low-carbon
2. Affect outdoor
ion activities; shipping mode.
activities;
industry 2. Increase
3. Increase cost for
production costs.
protection against
storm surges.
1. Inundation of 1. Destroy the
coastal tourism cultural relics of the
1. Loss of natural
resources, including 1. The marine coastal zone and
landscape of the sea;
cultural relics and ecosystem would be natural landscapes 1. Change the
Coastal 2. Change the
natural landscapes damaged and the such as wetlands; existing production
tourism spatial distribution
such as wetlnds; natural landscape 2. Reduce ocean mode.
of tourism
2. Inundation of would be lost. sightseeing and other
resources.
coastal holiday outdoor leisure
accommodation. activities.

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