American scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have identified the reason for the sharp decline in the number of snow crabs in the Bering Sea in 2018-2019. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Science.
Fishermen and scientists in Alaska noticed a noticeable decline in the number of snow crabs for the first time in 2021. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, work on the problem was suspended for a year. An analysis conducted in 2023 alone showed that more than 10 billion shellfish were lost in the Bering Sea.
The NOAA science team began surveying nearby areas, hoping the crabs had moved elsewhere, but found no evidence of the animals’ movements.
Experts who turned to climate data determined that a heat wave was observed in the region during the period when crabs disappeared. The researchers found that the crabs’ energy needs increased as water temperature increased. For example, when the water warms by 3°C, crabs need twice as many calories.
Scientists also found that shortly before the onset of warming, the population of snow crabs in the Bering Sea increased significantly, leading to increased competition for food. According to experts, a combination of factors led to the extinction of 10 billion crabs due to starvation.
Previous scientists warned It is stated that half of the world’s killer whales are in danger of extinction due to toxic chemicals.