Antinuclear

NSW rivers, lakes and lagoons warming twice as fast as ocean, finds 12-year study ABC 

His father passed it onto him seven years ago but he’s worried about its future viability given the latest findings from the University of Sydney (USYD).

Researchers discovered the state’s coastal rivers, lakes and lagoons were warming twice as fast as the ocean.

The average temperatures in those marine ecosystems were up 2.16 degrees Celsius, making breeding harder for some aquatic life.

“Warmer waters could mean we’ll see oysters disappearing up the coast or a new outbreak of algae blooms and disease we haven’t seen before,” Mr Boyton said.

Oysters, he said, were sensitive to heat and because they were difficult to relocate it put growers like him in a vulnerable position.

The world-first study also posed a big problem for the state’s multi-million-dollar fishing and aquaculture industry, which underpinned the economies of many coastal towns.

Marine biologist Elliot Scanes analysed 12 years of data from 166 NSW estuaries and found the composition of those waterways was shifting.

“We didn’t expect it to be so fast,” he said.

“When you look at the change in the atmosphere and ocean, what we’re seeing is twice that rate.”

Acidity also rose in all waterways and at the same time creeks and lagoons were becoming less salty.

“This study is the first major evidence we have to show estuaries are changing on this scale,” Dr Scanes said.

The marine biologists said coastal ecosystems were being forced to adapt and there would be winners and losers.

While some species of fish and prawns are likely to be more resilient, shellfish like oysters could be badly affected…… https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-14/nsw-inland-water-ways-warming-twice-rate-of-ocean-study-finds/12147462