Unprecedented global sea surface temperatures have logged a record high for a year straight. This development nearly slipped under the radar due to constant extreme weather events, but, akin to the gradual increase in sea levels, it is an unyielding trend.
The oceans, being the earth’s primary carbon depository, absorb significant quantities of surplus heat emerging from the greenhouse gases captured in the atmosphere. Nonetheless, sea temperatures have been creeping upwards yearly over the previous decade, hampering this capability and provoking extensive destruction to ecosystems.
A study initiated by Ireland’s environmental alliance, Fair Seas, offers a glimpse into the potential threat Ireland might face this century due to these changes. Conducted by Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the study reveals that all inshore waters, those near the coastlines, will bear the brunt of climatic changes with an escalated possibility of marine heatwaves.
The marine heatwaves that hit Ireland and the rest of the world the past summer exemplify the perils associated with this situation. Off Ireland’s northwest shore, sea temperatures recorded up to 5 degrees above their usual measurements, which could compel fish and other fauna in Irish waters to migrate towards cooler northern latitudes.
However, the report’s conclusions should not trigger despair, as particular Irish ocean zones have proven to be resilient and can foster biodiversity amid escalating climate disruptions. More than half of Irish waters could serve as refuges. These areas are primarily offshore and predominantly lie off the western coast. The government should recognize these locations as marine protected areas (MPAs), and to enable the rise of MPAs, crucial legislation is set to be unveiled by the government in the forthcoming weeks.
Fair Seas anticipates that their research will guide the selection of these sites, as it offers a chance to conserve biodiversity for posterity. As underscored by the report, MPAs afford a priceless temporary solution to safeguard our marine fauna until the rate of climate alteration can be moderated.