During their work, the scientists also discovered an interesting paradox: marine heat waves in cold regions can temporarily increase fish biomass by 176%, whereas in warm waters, similar conditions lead to a sharp reduction in biomass of up to 43.4%. The authors warn that such temporary growth may create a false sense of security: if fishing quotas are increased based on short-term spikes in population numbers, the populations may face a sharp decline when temperatures return to previous levels or the long-term warming trend continues.
The scientists strongly recommend revising existing methods of managing fish resources. They highlight three key changes: the introduction of emergency protective measures during sharp temperature fluctuations, consideration of long-term trends in biomass reduction when planning quotas, and the necessity for international coordination, as fish populations move across borders in search of comfortable temperatures. According to the authors, static national management models are not suited to the conditions of a changing climate.
