Document Type : scientific research article
Authors
1
Ph.D. in Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
2
Professor of Agricultural Engineering Research Department, Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization(AREEO), Mashhad, Iran.
3
Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering Research Department, Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization(AREEO), Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a major ocean-atmospheric fluctuation in the Pacific Ocean, consists of two primary phases: El Niño (the warm phase) and La Niña (the cold phase). These two powerful phases, especially when severe, can have significant impacts on various economic and environmental sectors. From an aquaculture perspective, understanding the consequences of ENSO is crucial because the resulting climatic shifts directly affect aquatic production, aquatic animal health, and the overall sustainability of the aquaculture industry. El Niño, characterized by increased sea surface temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, can lead to reduced dissolved oxygen and changes in salinity. These conditions can stress farmed aquatic species and even result in mass mortalities. Additionally, El Niño can increase the prevalence of diseases; for instance, higher water temperatures can accelerate the growth and proliferation of pathogens while weakening the immune systems of aquatic animals. El Niño can also impact the production of plankton and other natural food sources upon which some farmed species depend. Conversely, La Niña, characterized by decreased sea surface temperatures and shifts in trade winds, can also present both challenges and opportunities for aquaculture. Changes in ocean current patterns and upwelling can affect the distribution of nutrients and the availability of food sources for certain species. On the other hand, more intense storms and heavy rainfall in some regions can damage aquaculture infrastructure and disrupt water quality. Overall, ENSO fluctuations, whether in the warm El Niño phase or the cold La Niña phase, can introduce considerable uncertainties for planning and operations within the aquaculture industry. Therefore, precise monitoring and the implementation of adaptive strategies including selecting resilient species, optimizing farm management practices, and developing early warning systems are essential to mitigate negative effects and ensure the industry's sustainability in the face of ENSO-induced climatic changes.
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