How might climate change negatively affect aquaculture?

Climate change poses several challenges to aquaculture, primarily by affecting water temperature and salinity. These environmental factors are crucial for the health and growth of aquatic species.

When water temperatures rise beyond optimal levels for certain fish species, it can lead to stress, reduced growth rates, and even increased mortality. Species that thrive in specific temperature ranges may struggle to survive or reproduce if temperatures fluctuate significantly. Additionally, climate change can alter salinity levels in coastal areas and estuaries, where many aquaculture operations are located. Changes in salinity can harm species that are sensitive to these shifts, disrupt breeding cycles, and impact overall production yields.

In contrast, other options suggest positive impacts, which do not align with the realities of climate change's effects on aquaculture. While enhanced growth rates, improved nutrition, and increased fish populations are scenarios that might seem plausible, they typically do not account for the broader ecological stressors introduced by climate change, thus making them less likely outcomes in affected aquaculture systems.