Standard Presentation (15 mins) Australian Marine Sciences Association 2022

The nutritional quality of seafood in a changing climate (#210)

Tanika C Shalders 1 2 , Curtis Champion 1 2 , Melinda A Coleman 1 2 , Kirsten Benkendorff 1
  1. Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
  2. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia

Food and nutrient security for human health is a topic of increasing global importance. Despite understanding that environmental conditions can affect seafood quality, the impacts of climate change on the nutritional quality of seafood and the flow-on effects to nutrient security and human health are only beginning to be assessed. We recently reviewed this emerging research frontier, highlighting the potential for significant negative consequences of climate-driven environmental change on seafood nutritional properties. For example, changes in ocean temperature, acidification, and salinity can lead to reductions in nutritionally valuable seafood macro and micronutrients such as protein, lipids, fatty acids and trace elements. Preliminary results from ocean warming and marine heatwave experiments on harvestable marine resources and marine primary producers will be presented to provide insights into the response of estuarine and marine species to climate change across a broad range of nutritional properties. We highlight evolving research methodologies and future research priorities in this emerging field.