Report: Warming water in LI Sound altering fish populations
WESTPORT >> A report on the health of Long Island Sound says fish such as black seabass and summer flounder that prefer warm water are appearing more frequently due to warming caused by climate change.
The report released Monday by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation also says fish such as winter flounder, Atlantic herring and red herring that prefer cold water are slowly decreasing.
Data were collected by government agencies in Connecticut, New York state, New York City and university partners.
The report also said fisheries such as oysters, scallops and lobsters and salt marshes and seagrasses that once were widespread have been reduced due to environmental degradation from development, fishing and climate change.
With low bacteria levels, areas were accessible to swimming most of the time.