Heading out on an angling charter on Wednesday off the coastline of Kiama, NSW, Nick Moulas discovered something uncommon on his fish finder.
The finder tool aids to discover fish, however it was the temperature level analysis that obtained his interest. It was revealing 27.1 levels– about 2.5 to 3 levels concerning standard.
While it might not seem like a massive boost, the cozy temperature level is seldom seen in waters that much southern and can cause radical modifications for anglers.
“It is very hot,” Nick informedYahoo News “A great deal of individuals have not seen it like that, that near to coast. We frequently obtain 25, perhaps 26 out a bit more. So if you obtain it because close, it’s not regular.”
As the owner of Shell Cove Fishing Charters, he was taking clients out for a day of fishing and stopped briefly at the Kiama Fish Aggregating Device (FAD). The buoy is anchored 12km offshore with the purpose of attracting fish, making it a popular spot for boaters.
“Out a little bit further (past the FAD) we had 27.6, I think that’s about the hottest I’ve seen since I’ve been fishing out here,” he said.
Weatherzone meteorologist Quincy Tut agreed it’s not a common occurrence.
“It’s definitely unusual, it’s definitely not something that you normally see,” he said.
What does this mean for fishermen?
Warmer sea temperatures bring tropical species of fish further south to places that don’t usually see them.
The same day that Nick spotted the 27.1 degree reading, one of his clients on the charter landed an incredible catch that left everyone onboard excited.
“We caught a wahoo in 20m of water, which is unheard of down here, which was pretty cool,” he said.
“We caught that pretty much right on the tip of Bass Point so it’s the first one I’ve ever heard of and everyone I’ve spoken to says it’s the first one they’ve ever heard of,” he said, adding the warm waters were ‘100 per cent’ the reason behind the rare catch.
The warmer waters can also extend Nick’s fishing season. He normally targets marlin until about the end of April when it starts getting cooler.
“The longer the warm water stays – if it stays around 23, 24 degrees – we should have marlin right up til June which would be great,” he said.
“If they can stay for another six weeks or so it’d be great for business.”
caas-jump-link-heading”>Nick’s clients were thrilled with the unexpected catch of the day – a wahoo caught off Bass Point. Source: Nick Moulas/Shell Cove Fishing Charters
“>Meteorologist explains why temperatures are so high
The Kiama FAD is one of 38 FADs placed along the NSW coastline and sits in the East Australian Current (EAC).
Tut said the higher temps could be due to a combination of things, including the EAC, climate drivers like La Niña, and climate change.
The EAC drags warm water down south with its current, while Australia as a whole has recently registered five months of record-breaking ocean temperatures. Rising sea surface temperatures are one of biggest indicators of climate change.
“Waters were, globally, the warmest on record in 2024, that’s something that’s been quite significant,” Tut said.
“The stronger easterly currents along the equator are pushing that warm water towards Australia, that’s contributing as well.
“If you picture Australia in the middle of two basins, the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, the way that the waters are moving, it’s maintaining that warm pool of water surrounding Australia. That’s the simplest way I can put it,” he said.
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