A Prelimnary Survey on Perception of Turkish Aquaculture Stakeholders on Climate Change-Aquaculture Interactions

Abstract

Climate change is expected to have direct and indirect impacts onaquaculture sector. Significant socio-economic role of aquaculture in terms of joband income generation as well as food security and economic development callsthe need for a proactive approach for development of adaptation and mitigationpolicies towards climate change and aquaculture interactions. Awareness buildingand understanding the perceptions of aquaculture stakeholders regarding theimpact of climate change on aquaculture are important pillars of developingadaptation and/or mitigation policies. This study is a preliminary assessment ofTurkish aquaculture stakeholders’ perception regarding climate change-aquaculture interactions, which was carried out within the activities of EU fundedCERES project (Climate Change and European Aquatic Resources). A semi-structured questionnaire developed by CERES project for this purpose was used tocollect data through face to face interviews. For statistical analysis of the collecteddata, both descriptive and inferential methods were used. Majority of stakeholdersparticipating in the survey believed that most of the performance parametersincluding feed conversion ratio (FCR), fish health, survival rate and productioncosts, will potentially be affected negatively by climate change.