Climate change is triggering fish migrations

   Climate change is triggering fish migrations, forcing adjustments to the global seafood supply chain.

   Canned fish is one of the lowest-carbon sources of animal protein. Wild fish require no feed and emit no methane, and canning eliminates the need for refrigeration. In recent years, eye-catching, brightly colored canned seafood has become a hit on TikTok, and this category has rapidly gained popularity globally as consumers increase their protein intake and seek more environmentally friendly options.

   However, with continuously warming oceans, achieving sustainable seafood sourcing is becoming increasingly difficult. This has prompted canned fish retailers, including Patagonia, to restructure their supply chains.

   The ocean absorbs approximately 90% of the excess heat generated by global warming, and rising water temperatures are altering fish distribution patterns. This is disrupting existing catch quota agreements as fish migrate to cooler waters. For example, in the Northeast Atlantic, Iceland increased its catch as mackerel migrated northwest to waters near Iceland. Meanwhile, fishermen in traditional fishing grounds, including the EU, continued to catch the fish. This sparked the so-called "mackerel wars"-a long-standing dispute over catch quotas. During this period, fish stocks continued to decline. Atlantic mackerel became popular due to its high nutrient density. Because of its smaller size, it occupies a lower position in the food chain, making it less likely to contain contaminants such as mercury than larger fish like tuna. Its thick, flavorful flesh makes it an easy substitute for tuna in salads and sandwiches.