Climate change has been given a new term: the rise in the water temperature of the Adriatic has led researchers to speak of a so-called tropicalization of the Mediterranean. The water has been heated to almost 30 degrees Celsius, causing a shortage of oxygen in the sea. The visible increase in algae slime and jellyfish, particularly on the coasts of Italy, is clouding the holiday mood.
Mediterranean Sea hotter than ever
The effects of climate change have hit the northern Adriatic with full force. The water temperature on the coasts there is currently almost 30 degrees Celsius. This so-called tropicalization is having a brutal effect on fish stocks in particular. The associated lack of oxygen in the water is causing an increase in fish mortality on the one hand, while on the other hand it is favoring the population of algae and jellyfish. The logical consequence: tough algal slime is spreading along the coasts, clouding the water and spoiling the pleasure of swimming and sailing.
Experts get to the bottom of it
“The Adriatic has reached temperatures like the Maldives, but without their colors,” the Italian marine biologist is quoted in the daily newspaper La Repubblica. The rising water temperatures are now attracting the attention of experts. In order to better understand the current state of emergency, chemists and biologists will be closely examining the water of the Adriatic this summer. Based on numerous tests, the aim is to get to the bottom of the cause and thus counteract the ever-rising temperatures in the Mediterranean. The visible increase in algal slime is also a major threat to fishing. Smaller fishing boats in particular can no longer easily go out to sea, as the tough slime sticks to the propellers and also damages the fishing nets.
Massive fish kill in Tuscan lagoon
At the end of July 2024, a massive fish kill in the lagoon of the town of Orbetello caused a stir: More and more marine creatures were dying a painful death due to acute oxygen deficiency and suddenly floating on the surface. The water temperature at the picturesque resort reached an unprecedented record high of 35 degrees Celsius. Due to a lack of water exchange in the closed water system there, the oxygen content quickly dropped to zero. Even the attempt to pump cool water into the lagoon could not prevent the terrible scenario, and so in just three days a total of almost 200 tons of fish carcasses had to be disposed of. The President of the Tuscany region, Enrico Giani, wants to declare a state of emergency in order to implement the necessary measures as quickly as possible.
EU launches first aid packages
The EU Commission has already recognized the seriousness of the situation and is investing 126.9 million euros in 26 projects of the EU mission “Restoration of our Oceans and Water“. The projects involve 346 beneficiaries from 35 countries (26 Member States and nine associated countries). These include small and medium-sized enterprises, research institutions, local authorities, universities and higher education institutions. The measures extend from the Baltic and North Seas to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. And as part of the Horizon Europe research program, the Ocean Mission supports European communities that depend on healthy seas and waters. The goal: to become resilient, climate-neutral and thus future-proof.
