“The dolphinfish season moved by two months”

Climate change is a hot topic, but how does it affect is in everyday life? What effect is it having on the sea, the fish and the rest of the marine life? TVAM discussed this topic with the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council for Climate Action and Researcher, Prof Alan Deidun, and Lecturer at the University of Malta, Dr Adam Gauci.

Prof Deidun explained that evidence of climate change is constantly around us, including what we are seeing in Florida. However there is no reason to travel so far, because climate change is also affecting Malta.

First of all, Prof Deidun explained that climate change refers to changing climatic characteristics that are abnormal on a number of occasions. He mentioned, among others, changes in temperature. He said that the temperature manages everything and changes multiple factors, including wind, storm load and its power.

As explained by Lecturer Dr Adam Gauci, climate change is also leading to seasonal changes. He also noted that last July the sea temperature reached 30 degrees, when this temperature is usually registered in September.

Prof Deidun referred to the season of dolphinfish, known as ‘lampuki’ in Maltese. He noted how this season starts with the Santa Marija feast. Small dolphinfish are usually caught during August, and as the season progresses, towards November and December, larger species are caught. However, this year the big dolphinfish started being caught immediately, and then the fishermen’s catch starting dwindling. Prof Dediun explained that very young dolphinfish are now being caught. This means that the entire season moved by two months.

However, Prof Deidun remarked that one has to see if this phenomenon repeats itself, to see whether changes should start being discussed in relation to when the dolphinfish season should begin.

Prof Deidun explained that climate change is seen both at sea and on land. He said that the red flowers of the Poinsettia have already budded. He also mentioned the citrus fruit which, although at this time of year is not usually full, this year we are already finding citrus trees with flowers. He noted that when the fruit trees have already produced flowers and the first storm has yet to come, it will destroy everything. He remarked that if you do not have flowers, this will mean you will not bear fruit.

He said that changes are taking place so fast that nature is not keeping up in adapting to them. In this scenario, Prof Deidun spoke about the need for every country to do its part to reduce emissions. He gave an example that one can reduce the use of air condition or avoid using the car, such as when one has a errands in the same village.

Referring to ongoing studies, Dr Adam Gauci noted that these are indicating that in the next 100 years the rain in Malta is expected to decrease by half, and the water level will rise by 10 centimetres. He said that over these years the temperature is expected to rise by 4 degrees in Malta.