Addressing Coldwater Temperature Impairment in a Changing Climate

Climate change is concerning for fisheries professionals because increased water temperatures threaten coldwater habitats, which are vital to recreational and commercial fisheries and keystone species. The Clean Water Act provides a legal framework to identify and address water quality impairments including those associated with temperature. Although this framework provides a basic strategy to identify impairments, develop total maximum daily loads, and reduce pollution, it does not explicitly consider the challenges of a changing climate in addressing water quality impairments. Clean Water Act administrators and fisheries professionals can facilitate temperature restoration planning and implementation using the Clean Water Act framework to link stakeholders to the management of coldwater resources. Stakeholder engagement and collaboration, robust local monitoring, and incorporating climate resilience into restoration planning and implementation will promote comprehensive management of temperature impairments and the effects of climate change on fisheries.

Automated summary

Climate change poses a concern for fisheries professionals due to the threat of increased water temperatures to coldwater habitats, which are crucial for recreational and commercial fisheries as well as keystone species. While the Clean Water Act offers a legal framework to address water quality impairments, it fails to explicitly consider the challenges posed by a changing climate. To address this, administrators of the Clean Water Act and fisheries professionals can utilize the framework to establish links between stakeholders and the management of coldwater resources, promoting comprehensive management of temperature impairments and the impacts of climate change on fisheries through stakeholder engagement, robust local monitoring, and climate resilience incorporation into restoration planning and implementation.