Rising sea temperatures may drive wildlife from Irish waters, report warns
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Fish typically found in our coastal waters may disappear permanently due to rising sea temperatures, a new report has warned.
Fair Seas, an umbrella organisation for a range of environmental groups, has commissioned a new report to identify areas of Ireland’s marine environment that have the best chance of preserving ocean species and habitats in the future.
It said that all Irish inshore waters will be under pressure from climate change in the decades ahead but that possible solutions can be identified now that may help protect our seas for future generations.
The group has identified that more than of half Irish waters are climate “sanctuaries”, which can be more resilient to the effects of climate change.
“The marine heatwaves that struck Ireland and across the world last summer are a stark reminder of the effects of climate change,” said Fair Seas coordinator Dr Donal Griffin.
“Rising sea temperatures may cause fish and other species typically found in Irish waters to move out of our marine area to cooler northern latitudes.”
Researchers have warned that ocean warming can impact animal behaviour and movement, with fears this could accelerate due to record levels of heat being recorded last year.
The Fair Seas report notes that as efforts to combat climate change are still taking shape across the world, excess greenhouse gases will still impact our marine ecosystems for many years to come.
It believes the latest research can help inform the site selection process for Marine Protected Areas in Ireland, with long-awaited legislation to make these a reality at an advanced stage.
The research for Fair Seas was compiled by a team from Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
Its principal investigator Professor Ana Queiros said: “Climate-driven changes to habitat conditions are already leading to an unprecedented re-distribution pace for marine species in our coasts and seas.
The Marine Protected Areas Bill has been long in the works, with campaigners last year expressing disappointment at its delay.
The bill is seen as even more timely after an unprecedented marine heatwave off Ireland's west coast last June, with sea temperatures reaching up to 5C above normal.
Such marine heatwaves can have a disastrous effect on biodiversity in the water for months afterwards.
Campaigners originally hoped to see the Bill published by the Government last May, but this was then pushed into the autumn and eventually into the new year. It is now expected to be published within the coming weeks.
CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB