Social and economic drivers for activities affecting marine fish

The growing needs of society in times of global change are impacting marine fish on many levels. The increasing demand for energy drives the use of the fossil fuels that contribute to climate change, or the development of infrastructure to exploit renewable energy. As the global population expands, so does the demand for food. This has a direct impact on marine fish populations, which are targeted and exploited as a source of protein that has a lower carbon footprint than many terrestrial counterparts. Alongside these, the need for materials (to support the demand for housing and utilities, for example) directly impacts the marine habitats that many marine fish rely upon.

All social and economic drivers have the potential to influence the quality status of fish.

Growing population increases Society’s need for energy. The introduction of infrastructure associated with renewable and non-renewable energy to the marine environment has the potential to either directly or indirectly affect fish. Localised temperature changes associated with power station inputs (e.g., water used as a coolant) may alter the distribution and abundance of fish and their food sources. Energy security activities may also drive impacts on fish, such as modifications made to water courses or arising from renewable energy installations.

Public recognition of the importance of healthy fish populations for the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity is critical. Threats to fish species drive public pressure on political debate and action because of Society’s needs and appreciation of nature and biodiversity.

Many factors driving activities that create climate change impacts, such as the burning of fossil fuels, industrialised farming practices and deforestation, are also driving impacts on fish. Society’s need to mitigate the effects of climate change has led to the expansion of renewable energy technologies. These will result in the introduction of associated infrastructure to the marine environment which can either directly or indirectly affect fish species and habitats. Coastal and flood protection; sea defences; levees and dikes are being increasingly introduced, driven by Society’s need to adapt to the effects of climate change. Again, such infrastructure has the potential to either directly or indirectly affect fish species and their habitats.

The production of goods and services contributes to Society’s need for stable economies. The manufacturing and processing of goods can introduce pollutants to the marine environment which can affect fish either directly or indirectly.

Society’s need for the trade and movement of goods drives the manufacturing and processing of goods, their shipment by sea, and navigational dredging in support of shipping. However, each can contribute to the input or remobilisation of contaminants in the marine environment. Vessel movements may disturb fish.

Fishing is a direct response to Society’s need for food. Policies focus on fishing at sustainable levels to protect fish stocks; however, some practices lead to adverse impacts on the marine ecosystem that require management. Marine fisheries also need to be considered as a potentially low impact, low carbon human food protein source by comparison with some other terrestrial food protein sources.

Populations demand goods, which require manufacturing and processing, and services such as waste treatment and disposal. These are driven by Society’s need for health and wellbeing. However, these activities can introduce pollutants to the marine environment. As part of a healthy diet, the WHO recommends that unsaturated fats (found in fish, among other foods) are preferable to saturated and trans fats.

Growing populations are increasing the demand for housing and utilities, and therefore increasing Society’s need for materials and their processing. The manufacturing and processing of goods can introduce pollutants to the marine environment. Activities such as mineral extraction and infrastructure installation result in the restructuring of seabed morphology, which can drive impacts on fish habitats.

Activities