Presented ClimeFish in front of 600 people

Four project partners (UiT, Nofima, CETMAR and Matís) attended the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Forum in Brussels. Project manager Andrea Gerecht from UiT was invited to present the project in front of the 600 participants that had registered (and however many streamed the event online). 

Andrea Gerecht’s presentation focused on the key exploitable outcomes from the project, which include:

• Forecasting models for production
  

  The All-Atlantic Forum took place in the Commission’s Charlemagne Building from 6-7 February 2020. Photo: ClimeFish

“The key exploitable outcomes have been developed in co-creation with our main stakeholders, such as industry representatives and policy makers,” said Gerecht.

• The ClimeFish Decision Support Framework

“The DSF includes the Decision Support Software for three case studies representing each sector, but also data, visualisations, forecasts and identified adaptation measures by case study,” she said.

• CEN voluntary standard for making Climate Adaptation Plans for fisheries & aquaculture
• Climate Adaptation Plans for 7 case studies
• Guidelines for establishing legal good practice when resources move and/or diseases occur

Andrea Gerecht then went on to present an extensive case where we foresee a severe climate threat: Galician Mussels case.

Galician Mussels Aquaculture

The main treaths due to climate change and identified measures to mitigate the threat:

1. Toxic phytoplankton – Early warning system, mussel toxin decontamination
   

   Over a hundred leaflets were handed out at the Forum. Photo: ClimeFish

2. Predation on and lack of mussel seeds – Protection nets, selective fishing of predators
3. Detachments of mussels, and loss of rafts during storms – early warning system, insurance / subsidies

But there is also an opportunity for mussel farmers in Galicia:

“Biological modelling results indicate that mussels growth rate will increase by about 5-10%,” said Gerecht. “This allows mussels to reach commercial size faster and an adapted harvesting strategy can thereby increase production”.

Finally, Gerecht invited anyone interested in learning more to attend our final event in Rome from 25-26. February.

Download the ClimeFish presentation from the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Forum