The impact of climate change on India’s east and west coasts is becoming increasingly evident as fishes, driven by changing environmental conditions, are migrating towards polar regions. This migration trend has been observed along both the east and west coasts of India, disrupting local fisheries.
Speaking at an event on the BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa campus, Sunil Kumar Singh, Director of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), expressed concerns about the implications for Goa’s fisheries. Singh noted that the recent increase in the catch of mackerel and other fishes in Goa was a consequence of the migration patterns shifting from the Kerala coast towards Goa due to climate change.
Singh explained, “Because of climate change, fishes are moving towards the poles, so oil sardine and other fishes are reducing along the Kerala coast and are slowly coming towards Goa. But they will move further towards the polar regions.”
Highlighting the broader impact, Singh mentioned that fish migration is a phenomenon extending across the entire Atlantic. He warned that the ‘dead zone’ along Goa’s coast, where dead fish wash ashore, is expected to increase in the coming years.
Describing a concerning annual phenomenon, Singh stated, “We have already witnessed a chaotic problem during the monsoon, with intermediate water getting into the coastal region. We observe tonnes of fishes dying in the estuary of the Mandovi near Caranzalem.” He attributed this to the reduction in deepwater formation caused by climate change, leading to lower oxygen levels and an expansion of the ‘dead zone.’
Given Goa’s heavy dependence on fisheries, Singh emphasized the potential for a chaotic situation if the trend continues. He framed the issue as a global problem with far-reaching consequences.
The Director shared his insights during the half-day Youth 20 event, part of G20 initiatives, organized by BITS Pilani Goa campus in collaboration with Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) and Goa State Climate Change Cell. The discussion shed light on the urgent need for climate-conscious policies to mitigate the impact on coastal ecosystems and fisheries.