Marine heatwaves disrupt New Zealand’s commercial fishing

WELLINGTON, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) — Changes brought about by marine heatwaves can reshape marine ecosystems in ways that disrupt fish populations and have an economic impact on fisheries in New Zealand, according to a study published on Tuesday.
Marine heatwaves, where sea surface temperatures are unusually warm and are expected to become more frequent, longer, and more intense due to anthropogenic climate change, can lead to increased or decreased fisheries catches, depending on their intensity, said the study published in the journal of Science of The Total Environment.
Prolonged moderate marine heatwaves were linked to increases in fish catch, but fewer fish were caught during more intense and longer heatwaves, said researchers from the Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Otago.
Substantial decreases in fish catch due to intense marine heatwaves suggest significant disruptions to fish populations and their habitats, the study said.
Researchers studied sea surface temperatures and daily fishing data from 1990 to 2023 in New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone, including over 280 fish species and 39 fishing methods.
Lead author Miloud Lacheheb from the Victoria University of Wellington said intense heatwaves severely disrupt marine habitats, posing a threat to the sustainability of fisheries.
“As marine heatwaves continue to rise in frequency and intensity, new management strategies will be crucial to protect fisheries and marine ecosystems from further harm,” Lacheheb said. ■