In 2025, the North Sea experienced unprecedented warming, with each month significantly surpassing long-term averages, particularly notable in June and December, according to Tim Kruschke from the BSH’s Marine Climate Issues department. This warming trend is exemplified by a severe 55-day heatwave in the southern North Sea. Jan Seys from the Flanders Marine Institute states that these observations reflect a long-term pattern: seas around the globe, including the North Sea and Baltic Sea, are heating up, with average sea surface temperatures now one degree higher than in the early 2000s.
The primary driver behind this change is global warming, which is profoundly impacting marine life in the region. The North Sea’s ecosystem is shifting toward a more Mediterranean-like climate, with a noticeable increase in the presence of warm-water species such as squid, red mullet, and sardines, alongside toxic species like lesser weever. Conversely, cold-water species like cod are declining, with fishermen noting a significant drop in shrimp populations, driving up prices and disrupting supply.
The consequences of climate change extend beyond mere species migration. Increased temperatures are likely to lead to more frequent and intense marine heatwaves, akin to those experienced on land, altering plankton behavior and disrupting the marine food chain. Seys highlights the pivotal role of plankton at the base of the food chain, suggesting that any changes here can reverberate throughout the entire ecosystem.
The warming climate is also expected to produce more intense storms, though effects on the Flemish coast have yet to be fully observed. Seys notes the growing instability in weather patterns, which could result in droughts, prolonged heatwaves, and severe rainfall events. Additionally, rising sea levels, attributed to both thermal expansion and the melting of ice from glaciers and ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica, have contributed to a 20-centimeter rise over the past century.
The North Sea’s vulnerability to warming is stark. It is relatively shallow, averaging only 70 meters in depth, which makes it more susceptible to temperature increases compared to deeper oceans. Seys warns that the North Sea is at the “front row of global warming,” with projections indicating an additional temperature rise of 2.8 degrees by 2100, alongside potential sea level increases of 0.5 to 1 meter under a “business as usual” scenario.
Scientists highlight the urgency of addressing climate change, noting that even if greenhouse gas emissions are halted immediately, sea levels are likely to continue rising for centuries. This ongoing shift underscores the necessity for enhanced climate protection efforts to mitigate such long-term impacts on coastal ecosystems and human communities.
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