El Nino threatens Indian sardine stocks

The ICAR-India — Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has warned that an emerging El Nino event could trigger intense marine heatwaves, leading to a significant decline in Indian oil sardine availability in 2027. CMFRI Director Dr. Grinson George stated that the warming associated with El Nino is expected to intensify during October-December 2025, with impacts likely felt across the northern Indian Ocean by April-May 2027. Although oil sardine stocks are abundant in 2025, the resource is likely to be adversely affected if projected ocean warming occurs. Small pelagic fishes, especially oil sardine, are most vulnerable to marine heatwaves and rising sea temperatures. The anticipated warming could also reduce overall marine fish production and damage coral reef ecosystems, affecting reef-associated species such as red snapper. CMFRI announced it would begin issuing El Nino advisories to fishermen and fish farmers later in 2025 to help them prepare. Continuous monitoring and adaptive management are stressed to minimize impacts on marine resources and livelihoods.