Rising ocean temperatures have adverse impact on Iceland’s fishing business
Iceland is surrounded by sea from all around. Its sea water is getting warmer due to climate change. Sea temperature of the region has increased from 1.8 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit during the last 20 years. Gisli Poulsen, professor of anthropology at the University of Iceland, said, “The fish made us thriving, but due to climate change, the water is heating up, and some fish are looking for cold water.” “The fish are heading north, where the sea water is colder,” said Kerry Thor Johnson, another researcher. Capt Peter Birgison of a fishing boat said, “This is the first time that not a single fish has been caught last winter because they have gone away.”
Capelin fish more affected
The increase in temperature has affected a large number of fishes of the Capelin species found in the sea of Iceland. This fish found in cold water is becoming extinct in a way from this region. This is why the fishing of this fish has been banned. It is the second most exported fish from Iceland. Blue whiting fish are also heading towards the sea near Greenland.
Business worth one thousand crores in 2017
The European country Iceland is located in the North Atlantic. It gained independence from Denmark in 1944. Fisheries business is a major contributor to the growth of this island nation with a population of more than three and a half lakhs. But this cold region is being affected by climate change. In 2017, Capelin fish worth $ 143 million (about one thousand crore rupees) was sold from Landsbankinn, Iceland’s largest coastal area.
