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Understanding the Future of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Gulf of Maine

Principal Investigator/Project Leader: 
Brian
Cheng
Co-Principal Investigator/Co-Project Leader: 
Lisa
Komoroske
Adrian
Jordaan
Katie
Kahl
Andrew
Danylchuk
Department of Project: 
Environmental Conservation Dept.
Project Description: 

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the resiliency and plan for future changes for New England fisheries and aquaculture ina rapidly changing ocean. Through field data collection, laboratory experiments, and stakeholder engagement, we will examinehow climate change will influence key fisheries and aquaculture species using a multi-pronged approach. First, we will examinehow climate will affect critical life history stages of key fisheries species by examining larval supply in New England waters andthe potential for a match-mismatch between larvae and their food sources. Larvae represent a critical life stage of marinefisheries and are sensitive to physical changes such as climate change. These efforts will be complemented with the collectionphysical environmental data to provide ecological context. Second, we will complement our field investigation of larval supplyusing a metabarcoding approach to identify larvae and eggs with molecular techniques which can drastically increase the speedand efficiency of sampling. Third, we will conduct laboratory experiments to quantify the direct effects of climate variation onlarval performance of fisheries and aquaculture species. Fourth, we will conduct stakeholder engagement to identify climatechange concerns and vulnerabilities in the fishing and aquaculture communities.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the resiliency and plan for future changes for New England fisheries and aquaculture ina rapidly changing ocean. Through field data collection, laboratory experiments, and stakeholder engagement, we will examinehow climate change will influence key fisheries and aquaculture species using a multi-pronged approach. First, we will examinehow climate will affect critical life history stages of key fisheries species by examining larval supply in New England waters andthe potential for a match-mismatch between larvae and their food sources. Larvae represent a critical life stage of marinefisheries and are sensitive to physical changes such as climate change. These efforts will be complemented with the collectionphysical environmental data to provide ecological context. Second, we will complement our field investigation of larval supplyusing a metabarcoding approach to identify larvae and eggs with molecular techniques which can drastically increase the speedand efficiency of sampling. Third, we will conduct laboratory experiments to quantify the direct effects of climate variation onlarval performance of fisheries and aquaculture species. Fourth, we will conduct stakeholder engagement to identify climatechange concerns and vulnerabilities in the fishing and aquaculture communities.

Environmental Conservation topics: 
Fish, Wildlife & Biodiverstiy