Surinder Sud / New Delhi August 25, 2008, 0:21 IST Global warming and the consequent changes in climatic patterns will have strong impact on fisheries with far-reaching consequences for food and livelihood security of a sizeable section of the population. Some of the impacts are already being felt as reflected by changes in the distribution of fish species in oceans. While the stocks of warmer water species are expanding, those of the colder ones are contracting. Besides, the rising acidity (salinity) levels in the seas as a result of the climate change are believed to have negative effect on many coral reefs and calcium-bearing organisms. This has been stated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in a recent scientific symposium on climate change and marine fisheries held at its headquarters in Rome. The event was aimed at discussing the challenges that climate change posed to the marine fisheries and the millions of people who depended on it for food and income. The global food body has pointed out that the wild capture fisheries are fundamentally different from other food production systems in its linkages and responses to climate change and in the food security outcomes that result from them. Unlike most terrestrial animals that constitute the livestock sector, aquatic animal species used for human consumption are