Evaluating climate change risks to Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish

This is a Darwin Plus  project, funded by Defra, and its activities are focussed in the UK Overseas Territory (OT) of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands. The project is led by BAS, along with key project partners, the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI).

Climate change is altering ecosystems and fisheries yet is conspicuously absent from fisheries management policy and implementation. The effects of climate change on high value toothfish caught in Southern Ocean longline fisheries are largely unknown. This project will synthesise environmental and biological information to undertake a risk assessment of climate-driven change to toothfish in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, contributing to conservation priorities for the region, including enhancing existing management of fisheries and the Marine Protected Area.

The project team will engage with stakeholders throughout the project. Key stakeholders include the fishing industry, including COLTO and Argos Froyanes, and nongovernmental organisations, including Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).