Climate Change Impact on Pacific Northwest Oceanic Environment

A recent report from Oregon State University highlights the concerning trend of decreasing oxygen levels in the waters off Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, impacting marine life. Jack Barth, a professor of oceanography at OSU, discusses regional variations in oxygen levels along the coast, attributing differences to oceanographic processes. Climate change plays a significant role in driving these low oxygen conditions, with implications for bottom-dwelling species like rockfish. Continued monitoring and research are necessary to address the consequences of declining oxygen levels in the Pacific Northwest ocean.