According to the 2019 California Current Ecosystem Status Report, the effects of the 2014 – 2016 Marine Heatwave (off the California coast), known as “The Blob”, is finally starting to wear off. “the blob” led to a decrease in Chinook Salmon, and it virtually shut down the Dungeness Crab industry during that time. Scientists say that similar Marine Heatwaves are likely to increase in frequency (and intensity) in the coming years. Although smaller hot patches in the ocean are more frequent….the larger, more catastrophic ones, are expected to occur naturally every five years (or less), going forward. That status report was prepared by scientists with the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration.
