THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FISH FARMING IN ROMANIA: RISKS AND ADAPTATION SOLUTIONS

Climate change represents one of the most critical threats to global food security, with profound and increasingly well-documented impacts on both aquaculture and agriculture. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns and the increased frequency of extreme weather events are disrupting ecosystems and production systems worldwide. This review synthesizes current evidence on the mechanisms through which climate change affects aquatic environments, comparing vulnerabilities, examining cascading effects on food systems, and evaluating adaptation and mitigation strategies. The literature reveals strong sector-specific vulnerabilities: aquaculture confronts thermal stress, hypoxia, disease proliferation, and habitat degradation. This sector is increasingly affected by compound climate events that amplify individual stressors. We identify key knowledge gaps and propose an integrated framework for climate-resilient food production. Effective adaptation will require cross-sectoral coordination, investment in research and innovation, and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern biotechnological approaches.