On Florida’s Coast, Ocean Temperatures Soar to Unprecedented Heights

The ocean temperatures around the Florida Keys have reached record-breaking levels, with a water temperature buoy recording a scorching 101.19F (38.43C) on Monday afternoon. This unprecedented heat is part of a larger trend of extreme ocean temperatures in the southeastern United States, which is posing a significant threat to marine life, ocean ecosystems, and human livelihoods.

“I didn’t expect this heating to happen so early in the year and to be so extreme,” said Derek Manzello, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Watch. “This appears to be unprecedented in our records.”

Normally, the ocean temperatures in the area should be around 73F to 88F (23C to 31C). However, the heatwave has pushed the temperatures to the upper 90s (35-37C) and even above 100F (38C) in some areas. The extreme heat is comparable to a hot tub, making it hazardous for marine life and even humans who venture into the waters.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in the world’s oceans, fueled by the human-driven climate crisis. The frequency and intensity of severe weather events, both on land and in oceans, are symptoms of the crisis. According to the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization, global sea temperatures have reached monthly record highs since May, driven in part by an El Niño event.

The heat in Florida also poses a significant threat to human food supplies and livelihoods. For those whose work is tied to the water, the extreme temperatures could have devastating consequences. Fishing boat captain Dustin Hansel, who works in Key Largo, has seen the catch slowing down for the past five summers and has noticed more dead fish in the waters.

As the temperatures continue to rise, experts warn that the area could see a surge in tropical storms and hurricanes, which build more energy over warmer waters. The warmer water is also severely stressing coral reefs, with scientists observing bleaching and even death in some of the Keys’ most resilient corals.

“This is more, earlier than we have ever seen,” said Ian Enochs, lead of the coral program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. “I’m nervous by how early this is occurring.”

It is too early to confirm whether the temperatures recorded in Florida will count as a world record, but experts agree that the heat is unprecedented and alarming. As the world continues to wrestle with the consequences of climate change, it is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate its effects and protect the world’s oceans and marine life.