El Nino may lead to sardine decline next year; will issue advisory to fish farmers: CMFRI

Kochi, Jul 10 (PTI) ICAR-CMFRI on Friday said that the El Nino event was likely to trigger immense marine heatwaves, leading to significant decline in Indian oil sardine availability next year. Grinson George, Director of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Marine Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), said the warming associated with El Nino is expected to intensify during October-December and its impact is likely to be felt on the northern Indian Ocean by April-May in 2027. He was speaking after inaugurating the National Fish Farmers Day at CMFRI, a release by the institute said. "Oil sardine stock is abundant this year, but the resource is likely to be affected in 2027 if the projected warming occurs. Small pelagic fishes, especially oil sardine, are the most vulnerable species to heatwaves and ocean warming," the CMFRI director said. He said that the El Nino effect would also lead to a reduction in overall marine fish production. "Established information indicates probability of marine heatwaves, increased sea surface temperature and high salinity during April and May in 2027." "Sustained warming could adversely affect coral reefs, resulting in coral bleaching and reducing the natural abundance of reef-associated species such as red snapper," he said. He said that CMFRI would be providing El Nino advisories to fishermen and fish farmers this year itself, urging them to brace for the situation. He further said that sudden rainfall following prolonged periods of high temperature and salinity could also trigger rapid salinity fluctuations, disrupting coastal aquaculture activities. George stressed on the need for continuous monitoring of ocean conditions and adaptive management to minimise the impact of climate-driven changes on marine resources and the livelihoods of fishers and coastal fish farmers. At the event, CMFRI scientists offered technical guidance on coastal fish farming, cage fish culture, marine fish seed production, black soldier fly-based organic waste management and feed formulation, and awareness on government schemes and subsidies for fish farmers, the release said. PTI HMP KH