Scientists study the connection between warm water and Alaska's cod crash

摘要

Scientists are evaluating how changes in temperature and prey quality during "the Blob" marine heatwave influenced growth, condition, and ultimately survival of Pacific cod in Alaska.Preliminary findings from a new laboratory study suggest that when ocean temperatures rise, lower-fat prey leads to slower growth for juvenile Pacific cod.The number of marine heatwaves has doubled over the last four decades globally. They are also growing more intense, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Understanding how the Blob impacted fish populations will help managers and fishermen adapt to future changes.