Ocean warming forces a rethink of fishery management

The Bay of Biscay is experiencing unusually high temperatures, with surface waters averaging 20.6 °C in September, significantly above normal. This warming is impacting marine life and forcing some fishermen to adapt, particularly due to declining catches of whelks in the English Channel. A fleet exit plan will be initiated by the end of 2026 for about thirty vessels. The fishing industry faces multiple crises, including rising fuel costs, and traditional management approaches are increasingly criticized for not accommodating environmental changes. Experts emphasize the need for better ecosystem management to ensure sustainability.