Rising sea surface temperature (SST) is resulting in premature maturation of fishes at smaller sizes, reduced reproductive output, decreased recruitment to the fisheries and also affects fish distribution patterns in Indian waters, an official said on Tuesday.

In his address at the International Conclave on Mainstreaming Climate Change into International Fisheries Governance and Strengthening of Fisheries Management Measures in the Indo-Pacific Region here, Indian Council of Agricultural Research`s (ICAR) Deputy Director General, Dr J.K. Jena said.