At least one aspect of climate change makes even fish fretful.
Ocean acidification — one of the consequences of an increasing level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere — makes rockfish anxious, according to a newly published paper by a neuroscientist at Edmonton's MacEwan University.
"It's actually very similar to a human being anxious at a very basic fundamental level," said Trevor Hamilton. "(The fish are) afraid of any sort of stimuli that could be harmful."
"It even has potential effects on fisheries. If there are more fish that are hiding, it means that less fish may be caught in nets."
Hamilton said his next step will be to find out if fish still fret if they are exposed to a slower climb in acid levels.