Fisheries
In the bays and estuaries behind the barrier islands that separate the Florida peninsula from the Gulf of Mexico, fresh and saltwater combine to create the environment shrimp and oysters need to thrive. Changes in the salinity, water temperature, and the extent of estuarine wetlands critically affect this habitat and the fisheries that are dependent on it.
If freshwater flow into bays (such as Tampa Bay and Florida Bay) permanently declines, then higher salt concentrations and less frequent flushing will result in lower water quality overall. Salt tolerance of some species may be exceeded, causing changes in the food web and possibly a reduction in fish and shellfish growth and landings.
Florida's aquaculture industry, ranked third in the nation, produces food fish, baitfish, ornamental fish, shrimp, and oysters. Like estuarine wetlands, aquaculture ponds are particularly sensitive to adequate amounts of freshwater and increases in salinity—and thus could be negatively impacted by a changing climate.
