Ocean spikes a fever: Marine heatwaves (MHWs) over the monsoonal ocean areas and their social and ecological impacts

The recent reports reveal that heatwaves also occur in the ocean, known as marine heatwaves (MHWs). When ocean temperatures are extremely warm for an extended period of time, MHWs clearly have the potential to devastate marine ecosystems such as massive coral bleaching, and cause economic losses in fisheries, aquaculture industries.

Marine heatwaves can be caused by a whole range of factors, including ocean currents and air-sea heat flux, but they exhibit complex spatial and temporal variations. Apparently MHWs over the tropical Indo-Pacific monsoonal ocean areas are less studied, with their mechanisms and effects remaining largely unknown.

This incubator aims to raise the awareness on the MHWs and their negative impacts, generate common interests and improve our scientific understanding of MHWs over the tropical Indo-Pacific monsoonal ocean areas. The incubator will catalyze collective actions with a view to better predicting future conditions and protecting our vulnerable marine habitats and resources.