Global warming presents losses for marine life in the tropics

The tropics seem to be moving toward some grave losses in terms of fish populations. This area that has umpteen number of fisheries and similar growing communities will be left barren soon if the global warming of the earth is not brought under control. The global warming has been affecting several lives and their habitats and looks like the fishes are taking the hit in the tropics region.

A few Canadian researchers got together and did a study at the University of British Columbia on the effect of climate change on the marine life. They used the same scenarios that were used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and formulated the report which clearly mentions that by 2050, a large number of fishes will disappear from the tropics. Predicting their results using both the worst and the best case scenarios, the report said that in both cases the aquatic life will migrate, however the speed would be different.

In case the oceans’ temperature increase by three degree celsius in 2100, then fishes will move at a rate of 26 kms per decade. This would be the worst case scenario. On the other hand, if the increase in temperature is by one degree celsius which would then be called the best case scenario, then the movement of fishes will be 15 kms per decade. These fishes would likely move into the waters of the Arctic and the Antarctic which are cooler compared to the tropics.

This report was published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science and the study used 802 species of fish and invertebrates and simulated the other ocean environment and water temperatures to come up with the outcome. The lead author of the study, Miranda Jones said that this movement of fishes would mean increased business for the fisheries in the Arctic although there will be disruption and competition for survival among the species already present there.

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Anne-Marie Jackson

Anna grew up on a steady diet of 20th century literature, science-fiction movies and Viking lore. Unsurprisingly she turned into a technology geek with an inclination for history & fantasy.