Record-Breaking Temperatures

Recent reports have revealed that the Mediterranean Sea's surface temperatures have reached alarming new highs. In mid-August 2024, the waters off the Egyptian coast soared to a record-breaking 31.96°C, the highest ever recorded. Additionally, the daily median temperature across the Mediterranean climbed to 28.9°C, surpassing the 2023 record of 28.71°C. The Mediterranean is warming at a rate faster than the global average, leading to more frequent and intense marine heatwaves. These heatwaves disrupt the delicate balance of marine life, affecting everything from fish migration patterns to the proliferation of invasive species like lionfish and certain types of sea urchins.

Tragic Consequences of Rising Temperatures

- Suffocating Fish in Tuscany - 

In late July, the lagoon of Orbetello in Tuscany experienced a deadly heatwave, with water temperatures spiking to an unprecedented 35°C. This dramatic increase led to a rapid decline in oxygen levels, causing nearly 200 tons of fish to suffocate and die within just three days. Despite frantic efforts by local authorities to pump cooler water into the lagoon, the devastation could not be prevented. The President of Tuscany has since called for a state of emergency, but it remains unclear what actions can be taken to protect the fish from further temperature spikes.

- Fish Die-Off in Volos, Greece - 

Similarly, the Greek port of Volos witnessed a catastrophic fish die-off last week, driven by extreme weather and climate change. Following severe flooding in the Thessaly region last year, Lake Karla expanded dramatically, only to recede drastically during this year’s heatwave and drought. This forced freshwater fish into the saltwater port of Volos, where they could not survive the sudden change in salinity. Hundreds of thousands of rotting fish blanketed the port and surrounding shoreline, leading to a sharp decline in local tourism and raising serious concerns about the broader impact on the region’s marine ecosystem. Cleanup operations have removed over 270 tons of fish so far, and Greece’s Climate Minister has declared a state of emergency through the end of September.

The Urgent Need for Action

Valia Stafanoudaki, Director of Sea Shepherd Greece, underscores the critical need for immediate action to protect marine wildlife in the Mediterranean. “No one cares about the fish,” she says, highlighting the broader indifference to the plight of marine species amidst the escalating climate crisis. “With the environment in Greece already under threat from climate change and global warming, we need to do everything we can to protect the fish and other marine wildlife from all threats, including illegal fishing.”

Earlier this year Sea Shepherd Global, in partnership with Greece’s Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency, renewed its commitment to patrolling the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades, a crucial sanctuary for endangered marine species. As the Mediterranean faces ever-increasing environmental challenges, our campaigns to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are more vital than ever.

The future of the Mediterranean’s marine life hinges on our collective efforts to mitigate climate change and protect these vulnerable ecosystems. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to enforcing stricter regulations on illegal fishing, every action counts. As the Mediterranean continues to warm, the need to safeguard its rich biodiversity becomes not just a regional, but a global imperative.

To learn more about how we’re fighting to protect the Mediterranean Sea, check out our ongoing campaigns in Greece and Italy (Operation Monachus and Operation Siso) and read our recent article on the Top 5 Threats to the Mediterranean Sea and How We Can Combat Them. Every step we take together is a step closer to preserving one of the world's most vital marine ecosystems.