DR ‹ › Warming waters are driving a northward shift in marine species along Morocco's Atlantic coast. This is the conclusion of researchers who have recorded three tropical and subtropical fish species for the first time in the waters of Dakhla, in southern Morocco. The discovery is likely linked to rising sea temperatures, they said in a study published on April 12 in the scientific journal Journal of Fish Biology. The newly observed species are the Atlantic bumper (Chloroscombrus chrysurus), the four-banded butterflyfish (Chaetodon hoefleri), and the Guinean parrotfish (Scarus hoefleri). Identified through a combination of underwater visual surveys, remote camera footage, and observations by local fishermen, their presence was confirmed through image analysis based on morphological characteristics. Their presence suggests a gradual expansion of tropical marine species along Morocco's Atlantic coast, a phenomenon linked to rising sea surface temperatures in Dakhla Bay over the past two decades. These conditions are believed to be creating a more favorable environment for species typically found further south. Located in the Atlantic Sahara, Dakhla Bay is a shallow ecosystem known for its rich biodiversity, including seagrass beds, rocky reefs, and sandy plateaus, the researchers explain. The area, which stretches roughly 37 kilometers, is classified as a Ramsar site and recognized for its ecological importance. Fieldwork was conducted over eight days in September 2024, focusing on reef zones near Dragon Island, where marine life is particularly abundant and closely monitored by both scientists and local fishermen. As ocean temperatures continue to rise, researchers warn that similar shifts in species distribution could become increasingly common along Morocco's coastline.
