The effects of climate change are felt right to the edge of the Mediterranean. In a press release, the Calanques National Park warns of “a worrying mortality of gorgonians in the waters of the Calanques National Park and other marine protected areas on the French Mediterranean coast. ” Gorgonians are a type of coral found between 7 and 110 meters deep, purple or yellow in color, “real “animal forests” which are home to 15 to 20% of known species in the Mediterranean. “.
However, still according to the park, “the first alerts were reported between August 18 and 19, 2022, following the violent stormy episodes which crossed the South-East of France. For the park, this massive episode of gorgonian mortality is linked to the episodes of sea heat waves experienced by the Mediterranean, gorgonians being sensitive to global warming. “Discussions are underway between the various stakeholders in the affected marine protected areas to qualify and study this recent mortality phenomenon,” specifies the park. Dives will be organized this week to take samples from the affected areas.