Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost – Responses of Fishers’ Communities to Shifts in the Distribution and Abundance of Fish

As species respond to warming water temperatures, fishers dependent upon such are being compelled make choices concerning harvest strategies. Should they “follow fish” new fishing grounds? change their mix of target species? relocate operations ports? We examined how communities in the Northeast United States —a hotspot recent warming—have already responded documented shifts distribution and abundance fluke, red silver hake. focused on groundfish trawl that historically targeted these “at-sea” responses by combining qualitative interviews with quantitative analysis records ecological surveys. Three distinct emerged: shifting grounds, species, port landing. Our research finds following fish is rare only occurred one assessed communities, large trawler community Beaufort, North Carolina. The more common response was a shift catch composition. However, regulations markets often constrained ability take advantage changing within grounds. Indeed, overall diversity has declined among all our focal suggesting have lost be flexible when it may most needed as climate change. Additionally, high value fluke need land southern states higher quota allocations likely driver nature “community” increasing vessels landing outside home port, especially fluke. findings suggest fidelity historical grounds combined perceiving environmental non-permanent, predispose many trust “cyclicality” return over time. this strategy those unable or unwilling vulnerable changes due potential directly inform resource management policies well deliberate adaptations themselves strive address imminent risks