Well. I’m not surprised by this news story that says Rhode Island is the fastest warming state in the United States. Here is the quote:
“A new report from Climate Central, a research and public outreach program, says global warming is causing some states to heat up faster than others. The group analyzed temperature increased over the past 100 years and highlighted the ten states that saw the highest temperature increase. Climate Central suggests the warming is caused partly by natural climate changes and atmospheric aerosoles (which block solar radiation). Scientists say the pace of warming increased dramatically in the 1970s. That mirrors the time frame when the effect of greenhouse gases began to become widespread.We begin with the fastest warming state in the U.S., which lies staunchly in the Northeast corridor.”
The report goes on to list RI as the number one fastest-warming state in the U.S., followed by Massachusetts and New Jersey. Maine and Connecticut came in at fifth and sixth, respectively.
This spells trouble for striper fishermen.
We already know that summer striper fishing in inshore waters in the last five years has fallen down like a lead balloon, and it continues to worsen as we move on. We are on a trend that will put this summer as the slowest I have ever seen. In addition, water temperatures (at least in Narragansett Bay) are about the highest I have ever seen and not comfortable for striped bass. I suspect the fishing will not perk up until the fall.
If you want to read the entire climate report, click here.
The news that Narragansett Bay is warming was confirmed for me last week, when I discovered that the water temperature at Conimicut hit 81 degrees. In past years it was rare for the Bay water to hit 80 degrees anytime during the summer. Water that warm will drive everything out to deeper water including bluefish. Much of the rise in water temperature was due to the heat wave. Also, with the mild (or should I say hot) winter we had the water never really cooled off and has been running 8-10 degrees above normal all spring. That’s why we were catching stripers in March.
Welcome to global warming. It looks like it is going to be a long and poor summer of striper fishing in Narragansett Bay and inshore waters if water temperatures remain anywhere near this level.
Photos of Report: New England States Warming Fastest
