Editorial: Food production potential in the changing ocean

Abstract

First paragraph: Ocean and coastal environments are, as with many other environments, vulnerable to climate change (IPCC, 2023). The oceans occupy 70% of the world´s surface, with a vast biomass production potential, but climate stressors affect ecosystem functioning and the health and growth of aquatic organisms. Understanding how climate change will affect marine food production, and possible adaptation strategies is therefore vital. Whereas fisheries yields are stable or declining, aquaculture is believed to play an increasingly more important role in food security, contributing to the supply of high-quality food to meet growing demands in local and regional communities as well as the global population (Aksnes et al., 2017; FAO, 2024). Hence, we must consider how the changing ocean environment supports sustainable food production.