Rise in ocean temperature may shrink fishes by up to 30 per cent, finds study

Washington : Rise in temperature of oceans due to climate change can shrink fishes by up to 30 per cent, finds a study by two researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada.

The study published in a journal, Global Change Biology explains the reasons why fishes are likely to shrink due to climate change and warming ocean temperatures.

Associate Professor at the Institute for the Ocean and Fisheries and William Cheung explains fishes are not capable of regulating their body temperatures as they are cold blooded species.

“When their waters get warmer, their metabolism accelerates, and they need more oxygen to sustain their body functions,” said Cheung, who co-authored the study.

However, the prime reason remains lack of oxygen in the warm water. Fish and other animals who breathe via gills won't get enough oxygen for their body, resulting in a halt to the growth.

Daniel Pauly, the study’s lead author and a professor at the Institute for the Ocean and Fisheries, said that as fish grow, they need more oxygen. But the gills do not grow at the same pace, which will mean even lesser oxygen.

Smaller fish like tuna will be affected more than others as they are fast-moving and need more oxygen for energy.