Ocean creatures face climate consequences Sharks, blue whales
and loggerhead turtles look like losers due to climate change
coming to the Pacific Ocean in this century, scientists report.
Sea birds, tuna and leatherback turtles, on the other hand, look
more likely to prosper as global warming shifts sea temperatures
and habitats, finds the report in the journal Nature Climate
Change. "There will be winners and losers," says National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries scientist
Elliott Hazen, who led the study.The report looked at changing
temperatures and habitat areas in the Pacific by 2100, under a
"business as usual" scenario of increasing greenhouse gas
emissions tied to fossil fuel use continuing to heat the
atmosphere. Seabirds, such as the sooty shearwater, which would
see their habitat expand more than 20%, appear likely to
increase in numbers, suggests the analysis. Blue whales and mako
sharks see their habitat decrease due to warming ocean water and
less prey, raising issues for these