Ocean warming puts fish, orcas in peril

Exposing the Big Game

http://www.dailyastorian.com/Local_News/20150910/salmon-nightmare-ahead-pending-ocean-warming-puts-fish-orcas-in-peril?utm_source=Daily+Astorian+Updates&utm_campaign=f6f6c5539f-TEMPLATE_Daily_Astorian_Newsletter_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e787c9ed3c-f6f6c5539f-109860249

It’s too early to say for certain, but this year’s warm weather could have a big impact on future salmon runs as well as the animals that rely on the fish for food.

LONG BEACH, Wash. — Oregon and Washington will experience two big El Niño-like events in combination this year, scientists and fishery managers say. This has never happened before and the events could have major impacts on commercial and recreational fisheries — and ocean species from salmon to orcas — for years to come.

One of these events is a true El Niño — a big one — and brings with it the likelihood of less precipitation and warmer temperatures in the Pacific Northwest.

The other event, the “Blob,” is a warm expanse of water that has persisted off the West Coast for more than a year and only resembles El Niño.

It is an anomaly, a…

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