Did you know that water temperature has an impact? Survive of a few fish? That’s right! This is especially true for those who live in the open oceans.
As you already know, water plays a crucial role in the life of fish. It turns out that when the water temperature increases significantly, the oxygen level in the sea decreases, which can lead to suffocation and death of these animals.
As ocean temperatures rise, the level of dissolved oxygen in the water decreases. At the same time, the increased heat increases the fish’s metabolism and requires greater energy and oxygen consumption.
Therefore, these are in the absence of oxygen Animals They are forced to divert energy from functions such as reproduction and growth, which can ultimately lead to their death.
Heat wave and climate change
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been monitoring ocean temperatures since April of this year. Since then, countless lifeless fish have appeared in the coastal regions of Florida and Texas.
In August, over a period of seven consecutive days, temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico over 31°C! In addition to deaths caused by hypoxia, i.e. lack of oxygen, high temperatures also contribute to an increase in ocean salinity. This combination represents a major challenge for the fish.
While animals that live in bays and estuaries show greater tolerance for such conditions, fish that live in open oceans are more accustomed to them Environments stable and therefore have a lower ability to adapt to changes.
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If nothing is done, sea temperatures will continue to rise
According to a 2021 study published in Geophysical Research Letters, by 2080, about 70% of the world’s oceans will experience oxygen loss due to high temperatures.
However, researcher Martin Grosell, professor and chair of the Department of Marine Biology and Ecology at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, predicts the impact of current ocean heat waves on the Population Global fish farming is still a complex task.
In a recent statement, the researcher said:
“It’s probably not good, but trying to determine the impact of an isolated marine heatwave like we’re experiencing this summer on fish populations is difficult for us to determine. It is important to recognize that these marine heatwaves are occurring more frequently and are more severe than previous stressors.”
Fish migration activity has already been recorded, moving from warmer areas to colder areas with higher water levels. oxygen.
Additionally, fish physiology experts predict that as the oceans warm, a decline in fish size is likely.