Ulladulla’s fishing industry is experiencing a bumper season despite global warming fears raised by the release of a CSIRO study this week.
Releasing the CSIRO study on the outlook for Australia’s $2.1 billion fishing industry, Climate Change Minister Senator Penny Wong warned fisheries were facing huge changes.
However Ulladulla Fishing Coop chairman Mario Puglisi said he had seen little noticeable differences in the region’s waters over the past 40 years.
“We have seen a difference in the hot water current moving further south than it had in the past, but I couldn’t really say if this is a result of climate change or not,” the 62-year-old fisherman observed.
“The only decline in fish has been through too much pressure from the boats, but since the buy-out recently, the fleet, about 50 per cent of what we had, are maintaining themselves.
“It is difficult to make any comparisons as so many variables come into play.
“We have 50 per cent less boats and electronic gear has been introduced, leaving the fish with no chance,” he said.
Nevertheless the CSIRO report, Implications of Climate Change for Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture, recognises climate change as one of five key broad-scale threats to marine biodiversity.
Senator Wong said in releasing the report negative and positive effects of climate change were expected.
According to the report changes to environmental variables such as ocean temperature, currents, winds, nutrient supply, rainfall, ocean chemistry and extreme weather conditions are likely to have significant impacts on marine ecosystems.
The report also notes the need for fisheries and aquaculture management policies to better integrate the effects of climate variability and climate change in establishing harvest levels and developing future strategies.
Findings from the review are hoped to help inform the development of a National Climate Change and Fisheries Action Plan, with the Australian Government investing $126 million over five years in climate change adaptation policies, programs and research, including the development of national adaptation research plans for key sectors.
The Federal Government report warned much of Australia’s favourite seafood supplies may be put at risk as a result of climate change.
Hardest hit could be stocks of Tasmanian salmon, estimated to be worth $220 million-plus, a third of the country’s aquaculture production and employing around 1,000 people.
Sydney’s rock oyster farming industry, worth around $38 million a year making it the most valuable section of NSW aquaculture, could also be at risk over the next few decades.
“I don’t think the Ulladulla fishermen can complain, this year has been exceptional, especially with the amount of tuna around, it has been a fantastic year,” Mario said.
“We’ve never seen so many fish.
“The boats are up north now fishing for Bluefin.”
Mario looked out over Ulladulla waters and remembered back to when he was a young boy going to school.
“I would look out to the ocean and the harbour, and the levels look exactly the same, I see no difference, even though there are reports of higher or lower waters,” he explained.
“Some years the hot water comes further than what we call normal.
“About 20 years ago it seemed a lot more hot water, but it is my observation that we are back to a normal season.
“Seven or eight years ago we had two years with no cold water up from the south, where the current seemed to stop at Eden.
“The currents and tides determine a lot, it all depends on the natural cycle – I couldn’t say these changes are anything to do with climate change.”