Oceana Canada is highlighting the effect rising ocean temperatures are having on Canada’s fisheries.

Oceana Canada marine scientist Jack Daly is based in Halifax, but does most of his research work in Newfoundland and Labrador.

He says sea surface temperatures around Newfoundland last year were the fourth highest on record, tied with 2012.

That’s having a direct impact on marine life and changing their behaviour. He cites Caplin as an example, “they’re not necessarily changing their distribution, but we are seeing changes in their activities. Whereas they used to spawn a lot more on beaches, we’re seeing more spawning demersally, so under the water, and in deeper waters where the water is cooler.”

Daly says local species are moving farther north into cooler waters while warmer water species are moving in from the south, changing the local ecosystem.

“We can see menhaden, a forage fish which historically has been off the east coast of the United States, increasingly coming into Atlantic Canada, so those are just some examples where we’re seeing fish change.”