Seminars

Seminar Abstract

Climate change impacts on the distribution of apex pelagic predators in Australian waters

Predicted climate changes over the next 50-100 years in the oceans surrounding Australia include an increase in sea surface temperature, poleward extension of the East Australia Current, and increases in wind strength that may deepen the mixed later and lead to regional declines in productivity. For wide-ranging pelagic species the impact of such climate changes will likely be expressed as changes in abundance and distribution.

Data on habitat preferences for a variety of pelagic species in Australian waters has been gathered using population-up satellite archival tags. Habitat prediction models are used to compare the current distribution of two economically important species, southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii), and yellowfin tuna (T. albacares) with climate change scenarios from a suite of climate models used in the IPCC assessments.This comparative approach allows estimates of uncertainty for various change scenarios to be determined. Along the east coast of Australia the range of SBT will contract southwards, while yellowfin distribution and abundance will increase. The consequence of these range changes on commercial fisheries extends beyond changes in catch rates, to social and economic impacts on the fishing industries.

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CSIRO = Marine Laboratories Auditorium, Castray Esplanade, Hobart

For further information, or to schedule a seminar, contact:
To schedule a seminar, contact:
Karen Wild-Allen, (Oceanographic seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5010
Piers Dunstan, (Biological seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5382
Annabel Ozimec (seminar administrator) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5462
Sandra Zicus, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC (03) 6226 7888 & Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies (IASOS) University of Tasmania (03) 6226 2509