Ocean deoxygenation refers to the loss of oxygen from the oceans due to climate change (Keeling et al. 2010). The new International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report “Ocean deoxygenation: everyone’s problem” estimates that the ocean as a whole is expected to lose 3–4% of its oxygen inventory by the year 2100. Oxygen loss in the oceans impacts species differently, depending on their oxygen dependencies. Nevertheless, it hurts our ocean food supply significantly.
Scientists say rising sea temperature caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions is leading to oxygen-depleted zones to form on the sea bed. The report found that the loss of oxygen from the world’s ocean is increasingly threatening fish species such as tuna, marlin, and sharks.