Thursday June 1, 2023
Global Seafood Alliance —
The majority of fish populations in the sea are responding to global warming by relocating towards colder waters nearer the north and south poles, according to a University of Glasgow study on the effects of climate change on oceans.
“We observed a striking trend wherewith species living in areas that are warming faster are also showing the most rapid shifts in their geographical distributions,” said Carolin Dahms, lead author on the study.
The researchers examined data on 115 species spanning all major oceanic regions, totaling 595 marine fish population responses to rising sea temperatures – the first time such a comprehensive global analysis has been undertaken. The study found that, in response to ocean warming, many marine fish populations are shifting toward the earth’s poles or are moving to deeper waters – all in a bid to stay cool.
“While relocation to cooler water may allow these species to persist in the short-term, it remains to be seen how food webs and ecosystems will be affected by these changes,” said Shaun Killen, senior author of the study. “If the prey of these species doesn’t also move, or if these species become an invasive disturbance in their new location, there could be serious consequences down the road.”