Heat wave cooks live seafood, mussels and other mollusks on a Canadian beach

researchers University of British Columbia, No CanadaIt is estimated that about a billion marine animals – including mussels, oysters and other mollusks – have died as a result of the intense heat wave hitting the western region of the country.

At the end of June, it was Canada records record temperatures above 40 degrees in its metropolitan area. On the rocks and sands of the beach, where oysters were deposited, scientists recorded peaks of up to 50 degrees.

Why does the Northern Hemisphere temperature record indicate something worse is happening
Heat wave: Authorities warn of high temperature-related deaths in Canada

The heat was so intense that experts believe the oysters were literally “boiled alive” on a beach in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dead animals are now rotting and stinking on the beach.

“I lost between 30 and 40 percent of my oysters and oysters,” fisherman Joe Tarnowski told Reuters news agency. “They really don’t like the heat.”

“It’s a disaster,” said Christopher Harley, a professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia, in an interview with CNN that he went to inspect the animals after temperatures soared and felt a strong scent “from afar.” .

He explained that the mollusks can even withstand high temperatures due to a mechanism that allows them to keep tidal water within the shell itself—cooling a little. However, in addition to the intense heat, the west coast of Canada also experienced a decrease in the tidal regime, which constituted a lethal combination for these animals.

One A new heat wave hit the western United States and Canada on Sunday (11).. As a result, roads were closed, rail traffic was restricted, and families were ordered to evacuate their homes.

In Canada, where bushfires have continued to spread with another 50 outbreaks in the past two days, the government has announced new emergency fire prevention measures.

The thermometer rose across much of the Pacific coast and inland. The area between the sea and the Rocky Mountains is the hardest hit.

This is the second heat wave in less than a month. In late June, there were record high temperatures for three consecutive days in the Canadian province of British Columbia (see video below).