Here's how large numbers of fish will disappear from tropics by 2050

A new study has revealed that a large numbers of fish will disappear from the tropics by 2050 because of the impact of climate change on fish stocks.

The research at the University of Britsh Columbia identified ocean hotspots for local fish extinction but also found that changing temperatures will drive more fish into the Arctic and Antarctic waters.

Researchers projected a large-scale shift of marine fish and invertebrates, like in the worst-case scenario, where the Earth's oceans warm by three degrees Celsius by 2100, fish could move away from their current habitats at a rate of 26 kilometres per decade and under the best-case scenario, where the Earth warms by one degree Celsius, fish would move 15 kilometres every decade.

Researcher William Cheung said that the tropics will be the overall losers as this area has a high dependence on fish for food, diet and nutrition and people will see a loss of fish populations that are important to the fisheries and communities in these regions.

Lead author Miranda Jones said that as fish move to cooler waters, this generates new opportunities for fisheries in the Arctic, but on the other hand it means it could disrupt the species that live there now and increase competition for resources.

The study is published in ICES Journal of Marine Science.