The massive El Niño that the world is watching develop should bring increased rainfall to drought-stricken California this winter. Before the rain comes, however, there is an unprecedented change in ocean habitats due to the warmed ocean waters. Firstly, the pelagic red crab is swarming the California coast. This crab is only a few inches long and native to Baja California, but the warm ocean currents are carrying the crab to Southern California. Sharks and venomous sea snakes native to tropical waters are also being spotted much farther north than usual, as far as the San Francisco bay an Monterey. The warm water is also increasing algae growths that have poisoned the Dungeness crab population, delaying the |
multimillion-dollar crab season. The rains from El Niño should help many areas in California, but the effects also harm other areas and definitely change the face of the Pacific ocean's life.