Indian Ocean’s ‘rapid warming poses a threat to many species’

Marine experts have raised concern over the rapid warming of the Indian Ocean, posing a severe threat to many species of marine life.

Speaking at the opening session of a Winter School on climate change organised by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, they pointed out that climate change is affecting fisheries through changes in stock productivity and its distribution.

Inaugurating the 21-day winter school, A Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), said climate change is causing floods and drought across the globe. Increased water temperature and higher carbon dioxide concentration make oceans more acidic.

Drop in productivity

He warned that there would be a drop in productivity due to a gradual damage to the ecosystem and biodiversity owing to climate change. Strong commitments are required from stakeholders as also coordinated efforts to stimulate the growth of the country’s blue economy in a more sustainable way, he said.

CMFRI Director A Gopalakrishnan said the Indian ocean is warming (0.11°C per decade) faster than the Atlantic (0.07°C per decade) and the Pacific (0.05°C per decade), and the surface temperature of the Indian Ocean will rise by 0.60oC by 2050. However, the Indian marine fish harvesting is eco-friendlier than the global scenario. The marine fisheries segment is emitting 17.5 per cent less carbon compared with the global average when it comes to fishing materials involved in fishery, he said.

According to PU Zacharia, course Director of the Winter School, estimates of climate change impacts are essential to devise climate change policies and suggest adaptation and mitigation measures.

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