University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

The environmental impact of two Australian rock lobster fishery supply chains under a changing climate

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 20:31 authored by Elizabeth Van PuttenElizabeth Van Putten, Farmery, AK, Bridget Green, Hobday, AJ, Lim-Camacho, L, Norman-Lopez, A, Parker, RW
Understanding the potential future impacts of climate change along the supply chain for highly traded fisheries products can inform choices to enhance future global seafood security. We examine the supply chains of the Australian tropical rock lobster fishery (TRL) and southern rock lobster fishery (SRL), with similar destination markets but different catch methods and fishing communities. A boat-to-market analysis allows for comparison and illustration of the effects of single supply-chain aspects. We used life cycle assessment to provide an overview of the environmental footprint, expressed as global warming potential (GWP), eutrophication, and cumulative energy demand, for two lobster products: live animals and frozen tails. The export phase contributed 44% and 56% of GWP of live-weight lobster for SRL and TRL, respectively. The SRL fishery currently produces 68% of the combined 1,806.7 tonnes of lobster product and 78% of the combined global warming for the two fisheries over the whole supply chain. We develop climate adaptation options that: (1) reduce the overall footprint; (2) consider alternative supply-chain strategies (e.g., reduce cost); and (3) predicted impact of future climate change. Adaptation options include: more direct export routes and change in the export transport mode. Value adding and product differentiation, which can level out seasonality and thus spread risk, is likely to become increasingly important for both increases and decreases in predicted climate-induced abundance of fish species.

Funding

Dept of Climate Change, Energy & Efficiency and FRDC

History

Publication title

Journal of Industrial Ecology

Volume

20

Issue

6

Pagination

1384-1398

ISSN

1088-1980

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

Copyright 2015 Yale University

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Wild caught rock lobster

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC