Leading to the perfect storm

Climate change in our backyard has led to the fish population taking a dive. This in turn has caused catch rates to dwindle significantly. Adverse weather patterns are resulting in smaller fish sizes and even displacement of certain species, with consumers having to pay the price. - Photo: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Ocean warming is not only depleting fish stocks in the ocean, it is also resulting in smaller fish sizes and even displacement of certain species, a local study has revealed.

The current hot spell is not helping and to make matters worse, floods and droughts have directly or indirectly affected fishermen’s catch, experts said.