Changes in the 'Mean Temperature of the Catch': application of a new concept to the North-eastern Aegean Sea

Abstract

Two trawl surveys in the Northeastern Aegean Sea, conducted in 1997 and 2007 yielded a catch composition which, when re-expressed through the new concept of 'mean temperature of the catch' (MTC) yielded an MTC increase of 0.25 0(C) per decade, which is higher of the global MTC increase rate between 1970 and 2006, but slightly lower than the observed temperature increase in the Northeastern Aegean region, i.e., 0.26 0(C) per decade. The result confirmed that global warming is impacting fisheries catch in the Northeastern Aegean Sea, and can be used for adaptation of regional fisheries management plan.