10 July 2008: The International Symposium on Coping with Global Change in
Marine Social-Ecological Systems took place from 8-11 July 2008, in Rome, Italy. The Symposium,
organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the Global
Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics and the European Network of Excellence for Oceans Ecosystem
Analysis, brought together over 200 experts and policymakers from around
the globe to share experiences
and identify key next steps to promote resilience of marine social-ecological systems.

During the scientific sessions held
throughout the week, experts highlighted that temperatures and other
climate change-induced variations will impact fisheries and aquaculture, with
significant food security consequences for certain populations. It was also
noted that the climate change impacts on fisheries and aquaculture are already
being felt and include: increase in intensity and frequency of extreme weather
events in marine waters; and the continuance of the warming, acidification and
shifts in salinity of the world’s oceans. Delegates also underscored the role
fisheries and aquaculture play in providing food of high nutritional value and
generating income, especially in developing countries. Further, they stressed
the implications for fisheries production of climate impacts, which are likely
to exacerbate the livelihoods’ instability of those communities that heavily
rely on them. [FAO press release,
10 July 2008] [Symposium website]