The current marine heatwaves could even get worse. Experts are concerned because marine heatwaves can affect ocean life, fisheries and weather patterns. Marine heatwaves can trigger mass coral bleaching events and have already been increasing the stress that reef ecosystems are under around the world. One recent study described marine heatwaves such as these as "pervasive stressors to marine ecosystems globally". Japanese kelp, for example, proliferated in New Zealand when a marine heatwave in 2017-2018 in the Tasman Sea killed off native southern bull kelp in the area.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 21, 2023 18:20 UTC