Pacific Saury Facing Shrinking Future Due to Climate Change
The beloved Pacific saury, a seasonal delicacy in Japan during autumn, is facing a shrinking future due to climate change. Rising sea temperatures are impacting the availability of its primary food source, leading to concerns about the fish's size and population.
Researchers, led by Hokkaido University's Atsushi Yamaguchi, have discovered that the zooplankton species that Pacific saury rely on are becoming increasingly difficult to reach as water temperatures rise. This is because certain zooplankton species, like neocalanus plumchrus, which are highly nutritious and preferred by saury, struggle to adapt to warmer waters.
The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, found that neocalanus plumchrus thrives at 7 degrees Celsius but experiences a significant decline in growth rate, up to 98% in some cases, when the temperature reaches 11 degrees Celsius. This decrease in growth and availability, coupled with the movement of neocalanus plumchrus to deeper depths in response to warmer waters, presents a major challenge for Pacific saury to find their preferred food source.
The impact of climate change is already evident in the declining size and catch of Pacific saury in Japan. Researchers believe that the situation will likely worsen as the planet continues to warm, leading to a future where Pacific saury become even thinner and less abundant.
The study highlights the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on marine ecosystems. Protecting the Pacific saury and other vulnerable species requires a concerted effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of rising sea temperatures.