A joint research project between the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is set to pave the way for a critical weather forecasting service that could provide warnings of marine heatwaves months in advance.
In a statement the Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said the $300,000 joint research project was an important step towards providing Australia’s marine industries with advanced warning of extreme events which could detrimentally affect reefs, fish stocks, aquaculture production, migration patterns and biodiversity.
“Marine heatwaves are like any other extreme weather phenomena and can have a detrimental impact on Australia’s economy,” Ms Ley said.
“That is why it is important we invest in the development of practical solutions that can mitigate and manage the risks posed by our changing climate,” she said.
“By giving advanced warning, marine industries and managers of fisheries and aquaculture would be able to take action to minimise impacts of these damaging heatwaves on their stocks and marine resources.”
Ms Ley said the project would also enhance the conservation work being carried out on Australia’s coral reefs and other marine environments which were critical to the Country’s tourism industry and the protection of its ocean ecosystems.
She said marine heatwaves were typically defined as a period of five or more days in which ocean temperatures were in the top 10 per cent of recorded figures for that region.
“These severe ocean events have impacted ocean regions around the world and have increased in frequency, duration and intensity over the past 100 years,” she said.
“Skilful prediction of these extreme events can assist governments, industries and communities to respond and adapt to the growing impact of marine heatwaves in a changing climate,” Ms Ley said.
