"Warming ocean temperatures, sea level rise, and ocean and coastal acidification are thought to be key climate change drivers that result in biological impacts in the Gulf of Mexico. Understanding how major climate drivers such as these affect marine and coastal habitat distribution and quality, ecosystems and estuarine productivity, and living marine resources and their prey is critical for wise management. These changes could lead to direct and indirect effects on marine resource-dependent businesses and communities, such as a loss of fishing opportunities or deterioration of coastal infrastructure due to inundation or immersion as the level of oceans rises with the melting of polar ice caps. Anticipated result: some resources may become more or less productive and will likely result in a shift in the availability of living marine resources that support human communities"--Executive summary.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)