CYPRUS’ marine life is diminishing to the point where fish stocks are dropping, the Oceanography Centre of the University of Cyprus has confirmed.
To assess the exact impact of weather change on plankton, Cypriot scientists are collaborating with experts from a French research ship that has stopped in Cyprus as part of a global voyage.
“The mission will study marine microorganisms and the impacts on them as a result of climate change,” said Captain Hervι Bourmaud from the Tara Oceans ship.
The Tara’s wider aim is to map the impacts of climate change on phytoplankton throughout the world, and its 15-strong crew will be travelling throughout the world over a period of three years.
Plankton consist of any drifting organisms (animals, plants, archaea, or bacteria) that inhabit the pelagic zone of oceans, seas, or bodies of fresh water. Though many species are microscopic in size, plankton includes organisms covering a wide range of sizes – even jellyfish.
The ship’s arrival in Cyprus marks the co-operation between its international crew of experts and scientists from the Oceanography Centre of the University of Cyprus to examine the impact on plankton off the coast of the island.
“The south coast of Cyprus has a global record for the least fish production. In the last 15 years there has been a significant temperature increase in the sea of Cyprus. Our co-operation with the scientists aboard the Tara will examine if plankton in the sea of Cyprus has indeed diminished, which would mean less fish in the sea,” Dr Giorgos Zodiatis from the Cyprus Oceanography Centre explained.
“The research team will focus on the changes to a warm anticyclone that exists 70 nautical miles south of Cyprus,” he added.
Tara is the first ship in history that will travel around the world to map the impact of climate change on plankton. Phytoplankton comprises 90 per cent of the ocean’s biomass and their existence is extremely important for the maintenance of atmospheric balance. The microorganisms absorb the majority of CO2 and produce half of the oxygen available on the planet.
In addition to the ship’s crew, 100 scientists throughout the world will participate in the research effort. Tara’s mission will cover approximately 81,000 nautical miles and will travel through the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, making stops at 50 ports.
The ship set off from France on September 5, 2009. It left Cyprus yesterday on its way to Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
- For more information on Tara Ocean’s journey visit http://oceans.taraexpeditions.org
