Low oxygen levels measured off the coast of Washington and Oregon are raising concerns of large “dead zones” that could decimate crabs and bottom-dwelling fish.
NOAA says researchers have detected unseasonably low oxygen levels in a large area off the Pacific coast.
Low oxygen levels starting in the early 2000s and continuing each year have led researchers to determine areas of the ocean off the Pacific Northwest have a “hypoxia season” similar to a fire season — and this year’s hypoxia season has come far earlier than usual.
That could have major implications for coastal economies, particularly those tied to the Dungeness crab.