Changes projected in marine fish communities due to climate change Published on: 5 July 2024 New research predicts significant shifts in marine fish communities in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans as a result of climate warming. The Nord University-led study projects a change in key fish biomass and suggests that Arctic demersal fish will be at risk of local extinction by the end of the century if no climate refugia is available at eastern latitudes. The international team of experts, involving Â鶹´«Ã½ experts, analysed data from 16,345 fishery-independent trawls conducted between 2004 and 2022, focusing on 107 marine fish species in the northeast Atlantic, including the Barents Sea. They used advanced modelling techniques to project changes in species distribution and biomass under three future climate scenarios for the years 2050 and 2100. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the findings show that while some warmer-water fish are moving into the Arctic, they won't fully replace the loss of traditional Arctic species. This shift may result in fewer fish overall, especially of the presently most abundant species, despite an increase in the number of species. The findings show an overall increase in species richness but a decline in the most abundant species within the community. Warmer-water species are expected to expand their ranges northwards, while colder-water species retract. The international study involved experts from Nord University, Bodø, Norway; the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain, Ecopath International Initiative (EII), Barcelona, Spain and Â鶹´«Ã½, United Kingdom. Dr Cesc Gordó Vilaseca, of Nord University’s Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, is the study first author. He said, “Climate Warming is happening in the Arctic Barents Sea faster than anywhere else, and our study suggests structural changes in the fish community as a result. More observations on these changes in the years to come will help fisheries adapt to the effect of climate warming of biodiversity.” Dr Fabrice Stephenson, of Â鶹´«Ã½’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, said “Given the large changes we predict under future climactic conditions, it’s really important that future fishery management strategies and marine protected area planning consider shifts in species biomass dynamics and distributions. The research team is currently exploring these important considerations as part of on-going projects.” *Read the paper in full. The international study involved experts from around the world including Â鶹´«Ã½. Share: Latest News Scientists unlock hidden driver of inflammatory bowel disease Scientists have linked a key genetic signal in inflammatory bowel disease to an immune response that shuts down inflammation control, enabling faster diagnosis and targeted treatments. published on: 15 June 2026 Funding system risks limiting genuine community collaboration A new policy paper written by researchers at Â鶹´«Ã½ warns that the way UK research is funded may be undermining efforts to create genuinely collaborative partnerships with communities. published on: 15 June 2026 Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Facts and figures
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