The heat killed all the mussels in Greece

Greece is experiencing a significant impact from climate change, leading to abnormal temperatures and weather conditions that have caused widespread harm to agriculture, including a near-total loss of mussels in 2024 due to water temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. This disaster, part of a larger pattern of extreme weather and crop failures affecting many parts of Greece, is expected to decimate mussel harvesting in northern Greece, with a predicted 90% drop in 2024 and potential further setbacks in 2025. The country's total aquatic organism cultivation, valued at 619 million euros in 2021 (the third highest in Europe), is facing collapse as extreme weather conditions associated with global warming continue to intensify.

On the coast of Greece this year, due to abnormally high temperatures, almost all mussels died. This was reported by the Independent. Greece suffers from heat, drought, forest fires, floods and downpours. For the second time in three years, record high sea temperatures are affecting mussel harvesting in northern Greece, where local farmers have predicted a 90% drop in the 2024 catch. 2025 may also be unsuccessful. Greece is particularly vulnerable to climate change, which has led to months of above-average temperatures, drought and wildfires this year. Because of this, many crops were affected, including chestnuts, apples and cherries. Scientists note that extreme weather conditions associated with global warming may harm the cultivation of seafood in Greece. In July 2024, the country was hit by a series of heat waves, causing sea temperatures in Thermaikos Bay, its main mussel production area, to exceed 30 degrees Celsius for several days – too hot for mussels to survive. ...