Tropical waters are no longer suitable for fish to thrive in and this phenomenon will soon force a massive migration of marine life towards the poles, said a new study that blames climate change for this unnatural event.

Oceans around the world are heating up at an unprecedented rate. Fish now hunt for new marine habitats at a rate of 26 kilometers every decade, and are headed towards cooler, temperate areas near the Polar Regions.

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This alarming phenomenon can cause large tropical fish populations to disappear by 2050.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia have estimated this large scale marine fish and invertebrates shift using global warming scenarios in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.

The 26 kilometer rate every 10 years is seen as the worst case scenario if global oceans heat up by three degrees, about 37.4 Fahrenheit in 2100.

This study consolidated data about the world's oceans from decades of research to determine how behavioral shifts and patterns have manifested in marine life over a period of three years.

The study authors said these behavioral changes were caused by the warming of ocean temperatures across the globe which greatly affects breeding, reproduction and the overall lifestyle of marine creatures.

If the Earth only warms by one degree Celsius or 33.8 Fahrenheit, however, fish and other marine invertebrates will migrate a mere 15 kilometers in 10 years as compared to 26 kilometers.

This fish migration will not only affect the adaptation of marine life but also humans, especially those that depend on fish populations. Fisheries and fish industries in the tropics will be hard  hit.

On the other hand, tropical fish populations that have already migrated to cooler waters will have to adapt and co-exist with other species. This could result in a shortage of food resources and habitats and can disrupt biodiversity in the Polar Regions.

This study was published in the journal, ICES Journal of Marine Science.

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