Scientists Predict Gulf ‘Dead Zone’ The Size Of New Jersey This Summer

"An oxygen-poor 'dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico, which can prompt harmful algae blooms and threaten marine life, could approach the size of New Jersey this summer, federal scientists say — making it the third-largest the Gulf has seen. A new forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the annual dead zone will reach an area of nearly 8,200 square miles in July, more than 50 percent larger than its average size.

While the Gulf dead zone occurs each summer, brought about by human pollution running into the water, scientists and policymakers are fighting to reduce its size. It’s a big priority because of the dead zone’s potential to damage fisheries, according to NOAA scientists — and this year’s unusually large forecast may mean even more of the Gulf is at risk than usual.

'We’ve known for a long time that the hypoxic zone reduces fish and shrimp habitat dramatically,' said Alan Lewitus, a scientist with NOAA’s Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research. ('Hypoxic' means deprived of oxygen.) Even if the low-oxygen levels don’t outright kill the fish in the water, exposure to these conditions can harm their ability to reproduce, change their migration and feeding patterns and stunt their growth. And these effects can have a negative impact on the economy as well."

Chelsea Harvey reports for the Washington Post June 21, 2017.

Source: Washington Post, 06/23/2017