Polar/PNW deep sharks range shift/nurseries
Key Questions
What changes are occurring in Antarctic sea ice and why?
A climate triple-whammy since 2015 has driven record lows in Antarctic sea ice due to deep ocean heat. This threatens krill ecosystems and broader polar food webs.
Where are sixgill shark nurseries located in the Pacific Northwest?
Minderoo-UWA research has documented sixgill sharks at depths of 490 meters, including a nursery area in Seattle's Puget Sound. These sites support range shifts linked to environmental changes.
How is basal melting affecting the Southern Ocean?
Southern Ocean basal melting is occurring at rates ten times worse than previously estimated. This contributes to sea ice decline and alters habitats for deep-water species.
What is the SCOTIA array used for in ocean monitoring?
The SCOTIA array records data on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation to track climate-driven changes. It helps scientists understand impacts on polar and subpolar ecosystems.
Why are grey whales experiencing starvation in the Pacific Northwest?
Shifts in prey availability tied to warming waters and sea ice loss are causing grey whale starvation events. These changes reflect broader climate effects on marine mammal populations.
SO basal melting 10x worse; PNW grey whale starvation; Minderoo-UWA sixgill 490m/Seattle Puget nursery; Antarctic sea ice shock decline post-2015 from deep heat; 2026 climate triple-whammy drives record lows threatening krill ecosystems; SCOTIA array AMOC records; Puget Sound sixgill details.