Marine Geoengineering for a Sustainable Future: Integrating Fisheries
and Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement in Global Scenarios
Abstract
Achieving global climate goals and securing future food supplies poses
significant challenges, especially if efforts are limited to land-based
solutions. Given that the ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface
and plays a critical role in CO2 sequestration, exploring ocean-based
climate mitigation strategies will be essential. One promising approach
is Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), a form of marine geoengineering
aimed at accelerating the ocean’s natural carbon sink, reducing
atmospheric CO2 levels, and mitigating ocean acidification. However, the
implications of OAE for global fisheries, which are vital for food
security and livelihoods worldwide, remain underexplored. This study
develops and analyzes future scenarios for global fisheries under
different socioeconomic and climate trajectories, utilizing the Shared
Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) and Representative Concentration Pathways
(RCPs) framework. Specifically, we focus on three combined pathways:
SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5, to explore the potential impacts of
OAE implementation. Through an integrated narrative approach, we
(semi-)quantify changes in key bio-economic parameters such as
technological progress, fishing costs, fisheries management, marine
aquaculture, and carrying capacity, providing an explorative assessment
of how OAE could influence these under varying global conditions. With
this approach, we contribute to the development of sector-specific and
long-term interdisciplinary models that are crucial for future policy
and management strategies aimed at climate change mitigation and the
sustainable use of marine ecosystems. Our framework aligns with global
scenarios that are being applied internationally.