Species Migration in Ireland Threatened Amid Sea Temperature Rise: Fishermen Fear

Sea temperature rise is a growing ecological and environmental threat, facing many fish, and other marine species in the 21^st century. Prevailing climate models indicate that the continuance of a heating ocean is detrimental to the health of some marine organisms, coral reefs, and ecosystems. Due to this threat, marine species migration is underway and different parts of the world.

In Ireland, fishermen reportedly fear that such migration driven by climate change and global warming could kill the fishing industry. This is possible as a potential catch could decrease as fish species move to different areas, away from the usual sites used by anglers. In previous research, scientists show that species migration can also alter the food chain and affect sharks and other predators that prey on fish.

Sea Temperature Rise

Sea temperature rise, also called ocean warming, is a phenomenon where the normal temperature of the world's seas and oceans increases more than their historical average. It occurs in the tropic and subtropic regions, as well as in the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica.

Climate scientists and environmental organizations blame human activities like fossil fuel burning and greenhouse gas emissions to be the culprit behind ocean warming.

According to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, increasing ocean heat is closely connected with the accumulation of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, adding that the ocean since 1971 has absorbed 90% of the excess energy integrated to Earth's climate by human activities mentioned earlier.

Due to anthropogenic global warming, the ocean's surface layer, which is home to most marine life on the planet, is absorbing most of the heat. In particular, the top 700 meters (2,300 feet) of the world's oceans have incurred a warming of approximately 15 degrees Fahrenheit since 1901, the oceanographic institution reported.

Ireland Species Migration

One region in the world where ocean warming is becoming evident is in the North Atlantic Ocean, where the average surface temperatures have reached a new all-time high record of 24.9 degrees Celsius (76.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Unprecedented heat stress conditions are also reported in the Caribbean Basin, including waters around Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In Ireland, the sea temperature rises in the North Atlantic Ocean raised fears that the country's local fish could be forced to move to colder waters. The species migration could add further pressure in the Irish fishing industry that is already struggling, according to reports.

In recent years, ocean warming and marine heatwaves have been reported as well in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Gulf of Alaska, according to the NOAA. This signifies that the North Atlantic is not the only region experiencing the impact of climate change-driven warming.

Since April 2023, NOAA scientists have been observing the "steady climb" in ocean temperatures. Just recently, NASA announced that July 2023 incurred record-breaking temperatures, making it the hottest month on record since the year 1880. With this, it is no surprise that oceans have further warmed as well.