Interoperable Information System to monitor Climate Change
Climate change, forced by the exponential increase in CO2 in the atmosphere and the increase in temperature in the Atmosphere-Earth-Ocean system (Roemmich et al., 2015), is a scientifically documented process that is altering the natural patterns of variability of ecosystems (Laffoley & Baxter, 2016) and increasing uncertainty about the sustainability and availability of fishery resources as well as food security at a global level.
Scientific evidence has shown the increase in temperature in the atmosphere and the ocean (Falvey & Garreaud, 2009), the change in the intensity patterns of rainfall, wind and surface currents, therefore, in coastal transport and upwelling (Bakun et al., 2010; Gutiérrez et al., 2011), the increase in the intensity and frequency of El Niño ( Cai et al., 2014; Cai et al., 2018) as well as an increase in abnormal storm surges (Campos Caba, 2016). At the same time, there is evidence of a rise in sea level (Levitus et al., 2012), an increase in fresh water inputs due to melting ice on a global scale at the same time as persistent droughts and displacement of frontal zones, the extension of of minimum oxygen concentration (Paulmier & Ruiz-Pino, 2009), among others. These changes have manifested themselves gradually but cumulatively, although with a greater frequency of extreme weather events. These environmental changes are modifying the ecosystems and the habitats of the organisms that compose them, generating adaptation, replacement, mortality and population displacement (Cochrane et al., 2012; Yáñez et al., 2017; Barange et al., 2018).
From the point of view of fishing and aquaculture, a threat to the sustainability of extractive activity and ecosystems suitable for aquaculture is becoming evident, and therefore to world food security. The risk or vulnerability of these activities to environmental change is shaking the political and administrative structures that depended on the relative stability of the climate and ecosystems. Within this context, the FAO reports (Renato A. Quiñones et al., 2011; Cochrane et al., 2012; Barange et al., 2018) and the adaptation plan to climate change in National Fisheries and Aquaculture are manifested the potential effects of this process (PACC, 2015), while sectoral projects are incipiently taking charge of gathering information and scientific research on the local effects of climate change.
Within this context, the IFOP develops the project “Interoperable Information System, which systematizes and integrates fishing, aquaculture and climate change data” (FAO, 2017; Subpesca, 2017), whose objective is to make public data and information available. of scientific quality for medium and long-term decision-making.
This effort is part of a series of initiatives associated with the national project “Strengthening the Adaptation Capacity in the Chilean fisheries and aquaculture sector to climate change“, mandated by the Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture SUBPESCA (SSPA) and the Ministry of Environment (MMA) and that through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) run a series of public and private institutions.
