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San Diego's water temps are warmest since 1931

Posted at 1:12 PM, Sep 25, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-25 16:12:04-04

New numbers back up what many have probably noticed this summer -- the ocean temperature is rising.

"There's been bluefin and yellowfin tuna as close as two miles off the coast," said La Jolla Shores fisherman Greg Meehan. "These fish have been crashing here since January; It's been the best fishing year down here in 20 years."

Fishermen like Meehan say the warmer waters have plenty to do with how much fish is out there.

Rami, who kayaks at La Jolla Shores, said of the water: "OK, this is good …"

Rami has been on these waters most of his life, and he told 10News he agrees that the warm waters is bringing different types of marine life closer.

"The big fish are coming closer because of the warmer water … like the marlin, and the sharks, the hammerheads," Rami said.

"These are some of the consequences of the warming, I'm pretty sure," said John McGowan of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

San Diego's coastal waters haven't been this warm since 1931.

"Well, there are big changes going on in the Pacific," McGowan added.

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography has kept records here for 99 years, and our ocean, is like a sponge.

"The ocean holds a lot of heat," said McGowan.

However, another consequence could come this winter.

"There may be not more storms, but more intense," said McGowan. "It is man caused, and it's the burning of fossil fuels. I think there's no question to that anymore … it's a big change in the climate."