Impacts linger despite a return to normal ocean temperatures
NANAIMO — The lasting impact of a marine heat wave on West Coast waters and the iconic Pacific Salmon have surprised scientists.
A mysterious warm water blob gripped the Pacific Northwest between 2014 and 2016, which Department of Fisheries and Oceans senior research scientist Dr. Ian Perry said continues to harm Pacific Salmon this year and likely next as well.
“We’re only now beginning to potentially see the impact of these poor conditions two years ago on the fish that are starting to become catchable now.”
Perry said salmon are stressed by a warmer than normal ocean, which also restricts their food sources. He said DFO staff are now trying to get a handle on how the marine heat wave impacted ground water fish.