More than half a million mussels were roasted under the scorching sun on a beach in Northland, New Zealand, a reality that has surprised and worried many people. According to experts, this is a phenomenon that easily occurs when global climate change is having complex developments.
Dr Andrew Jeffs, a marine scientist at the University of Auckland, said the unusually hot weather combined with low tides during the day left the mussels exposed on the beach and burned to death in the harsh sunlight.
Dr Andrew also said he was concerned that many marine creatures would be affected by climate change. In addition, protecting crustaceans is very difficult. Manual methods such as using sunshades are often impractical and dangerous.
Scientists have been watching mussels withstand changing weather conditions for a decade, but current conditions are becoming more intense and devastating for coastal animals.
Mussels are ecologically important to New Zealand's coastal environments, but they are likely to disappear from these areas as conditions become increasingly unfavourable, particularly in summer.
"It's not easy to live in this shallow tidal area. The scorching heat of the season makes things worse. Only the toughest animals will survive," said Dr. Andrew.
Northland is currently experiencing dry conditions, with many parts of the region having not had rain for 40 days, leading to drought. Kiwi birds - New Zealand's national bird - are at risk of extinction as they cannot find water. Fresh water tankers are constantly being sent to remote areas to fill rainwater tanks.
Locals in Northland say the smell of dead mussels is particularly strong around the coast. Although most of the mussels have been eaten by seagulls and pelicans, tens of thousands of dead mussels are still washing ashore during high tides. The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture is continuing to investigate the incident and is urging residents and visitors not to eat the mussels that have washed up.
