Fishery-based adaption to climate change: the case of migratory species flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) in Taiwan Strait, Northwestern Pacific

Abstract

The flathead gray mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) is a cosmopolitan fish that lives in warm and temperate zones over 42°N–42°S. It is a key fish species for industrial fishing off coastal Taiwan. Gray mullets enter the coastal waters of the southeastern Taiwan Strait (22°N–25°N) to spawn in winter and feed in the coastal and tidal waters of China (25°N–30°N). From 1986 to 2010, the annual catch of gray mullet decreased substantially and remained low. Although the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and El Niño–Southern Oscillation are recognized to affect gray mullet migration, the increase in sea surface temperature may be the main cause of the aforementioned decrease. We explored how weather changes affect fishing conditions and patterns at the gray mullet fishing grounds in Taiwan’s coastal areas. Because of the decrease in gray mullet catches, the most common method for catching gray mullet in Taiwan’s coastal areas between 1990 and 2010 was the use of drift or trawl nets instead of two-boat purse-seiner fleets. Since 2012, purse-seiner fleets have become the most common method for catching gray mullet. This trend indicates that the local fishing industry is adapting to changing environmental conditions.

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“…This disruption has severed the supply chain of fish originating from the region, resulting in job losses for numerous fishermen. Furthermore, [26] highlighted the dire consequences of climate change on aquatic life. Increasing water temperatures, driven by climate change, deplete oxygen levels in water, disrupt fish habitats, and may lead to fish mortality, reduced productivity, or contamination with harmful bacteria.…”