Global warming seems to be
having effects on the ocean’s ecosystem. After monitoring 60 tagged redthroat
emperor fish at Heron Island in the southern Great Barrier Reef for over a
year, scientists found that these fish were becoming more populated in deeper
waters rather than near reef slopes. After considering many factors, the only
notable one was temperature. The redthroat emperor is a very commercially important
fish (second most favored behind the coral trout). Therefore, the depth change
could have drastic effects for not only the fishers, but also the market. Fishers
would have to change the way they fish, which may make it much harder to catch
them. This increased amount of work would inevitable increase the price of the
fish. More research is underway to see if the redthroat emperor could adapt to
warmer sea temperatures, as other species could.
There appears to be only two
solutions to this problem. We would either have to slow global warming
(obviously) by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released or try
different fishing methods to catch these fish.
Both of these solutions have
evident barriers. Obviously, the barrier to slow global warming would be
participation. Many people are not motivated to try to slow global warming.
They are also not interested in changing their lifestyles. As stated above, the
barrier to trying different fishing methods would be the possible increased
price of the fish. In my opinion, this appears to be a big problem. With this
experiment, we can predict what can happen to other fish as the ocean
temperature gets warmer. We should stop this problem now, before it gets out of
hand.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150807110818.htm
As a result of climate change, pollution, and global warming, the Great Barrier Reef is also dying. Many fish, including the aforementioned Redthroat Emperor fish, call that reef their home. These fish could be in danger of population decline, as they are losing their home and also seem to be unable to adapt to warmer waters as you stated in your posting. In addition to the warming of the water, the loss of the Great Barrier Reef will cause these fish to decline in population, which will make the price of these fish increase even more if something is not done. I agree that motivation is the largest barrier to solving this problem.
ReplyDeleteGlobal Warming has been an ongoing issue for a long time, but is affecting more and more each day. The Great Barrier Reef is known for its beauty and now with global warming affecting it, the reef is dying. With the prediction of the water becoming increasingly warmer, the fish will continue to migrate to the bottom of the ocean to stay cooler. I agree with what Ginny said in the comment above that the loss of the Great Barrier Reef will cause a decline in the fish population. This will affect the high demand of fish in the world. The price will increase, and that will change the way an average American consumes fish. I also agree with Darien that we need to stop this problem now before it gets out of hand.
ReplyDeleteMost of the environmental problems that the world is facing now-a-days seem to stem from global warming. Not only do the rising temperatures affect the size of populations but also their habitats. I believe that global warming should be our main concern and that the effect that these fish have on the market should be acted on later; there won't be a fish market if we don't take care of the fish we have now.
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