Climate risks pose mounting threats to marine ecosystems, say experts

KOCHI Marine scientists have warned that warming seas, marine heatwaves, shifting fish populations, coral bleaching, algal blooms and increasingly unpredictable ocean conditions are posing mounting challenges to fisheries and coastal livelihoods. They expressed these concerns while speaking at the symposium on Societal Applications in Fisheries and Aquaculture using Remote Sensing Imagery, hosted by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here.

They suggested integrating diverse expertise to monitor rapidly changing ocean conditions, according to a release. Around 300 participants from 30 countries, including fisheries scientists, climate and remote sensing experts, and oceanographers, are attending the programme.

Marine scientists underscored the growing need to integrate satellite remote sensing, oceanographic observations, climate models, artificial intelligence and in-situ data to better understand the physical and biological changes in marine ecosystems and provide timely advisories and early warnings, the release said.