El Niño Disrupts Global Fisheries, Creating Winners and Losers

Ekhbary News Agency | 2023-11-15T10:00:00Z

The powerful El Niño weather pattern, characterized by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, is already wreaking havoc on global fisheries less than a month after its onset. In Peru, a critical anchovy fishing season has been effectively canceled, impacting one of the nation's key exports used for fish oil and animal feed. Similarly, the Indian government is bracing for a season with reduced catches of Indian mackerel.

Economic Scramble and Divergent Fortunes

These disruptions highlight how El Niño creates both economic hardship and unexpected windfalls. While some fisheries are decimated, others benefit. In Southern California, for instance, fishers have reported some of the most successful tuna fishing months on record. This divergence leads to instability for fishers, many of whom are considering diversifying their catch or operations.

Consumer Impact and Climate Concerns

Consumers can anticipate price volatility for various fish products. Juan Carlos Sueiro, an economist at Oceana Peru, expressed concern, noting that as climate change is projected to intensify El Niño events, global vulnerability is increasing. The phenomenon, occurring every two to seven years, was named by ancient Peruvian fishers who observed drastic declines in their catches around Christmas time.