PROPERTY SEARCH
ARCHIVED - Rising sea temperature poses threat to Murcia fish farms
New study recommends reviewing fish farm sites on Murcia's coastline after detecting a 1ºC rise in water temperature
Marine experts are recommending a review of Murcia's coastal fish farm locations and warned that the Region's marine life is at risk due to climate change and rising sea temperatures.
Researchers from the University of Alicante analysed sea surface temperatures between 2009 and 2018, and found there has been a "rapid warming of the waters" in the last decade, specifically 1ºC, compared to the period 1988 to 1998.
In addition, they noted "high thermal instability due to global warming, showing a clear latitudinal pattern modified by oceanographic processes such as currents or the presence of rivers".
The study was carried out to determine the effect of sea temperature on Murcia's aquaculture and the suitability of locating fish farms along the 30km of coastline.
"Analysis of the data tells us that the scenario of 20 years ago has changed radically, with an average increase of 1 degree of water temperature," explained Pablo Sánchez Jerez, from the Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology of the Faculty of Science.
"Certain areas such as the Region of Murcia and the Gulf of Valencia have suffered a more pronounced warming, which can be a problem for aquaculture, as it can affect the health and welfare of farmed fish, increasing disease."
And the expert warns that 'offshore aquaculture', relocating farms further out to sea, is not the solution.
"The thermal anomalies remain constant as we move away from the coast, or even increase," he said.
Over the decades, thermal anomalies have apparently become more widespread in the Mediterranean, moving southwards and reaching Cabo de Palos in Cartagena, and as a result, researchers believe "spatial planning projects for aquaculture" needs to reviewed, and "a new line" of research on climate change and marine aquaculture is required.
Researchers from the Spanish Oceanographic Institute working on a Planet Tuna project have corroborated the reported rise in temperatures and pointed out that this particular species of tuna that typically lives in tropical and subtropical areas of the oceans has begun to move to 'warming' seas, such as the Mediterranean.
Image: Archive
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
