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The Atlantic Circulation and El Niño: The Invisible Forces Behind Angola’s Fisheries
When discussing the decline of fish stocks off the coast of Angola, many instinctively point to overfishing as the primary culprit, overlooking the “natural disasters” hidden within Earth’s complex systems. In reality, the changes in marine ecosystems resemble a vast chess game—where we are not the players.
If the Atlantic Ocean is a profound epic, then climate change is undoubtedly the dramatic twist in its narrative. Angola, with its 1,600 kilometers of coastline, finds itself at the heart of this unfolding story. From the slowing of the Atlantic circulation to the impacts of El Niño, and even the recent surge in rainfall across Africa, these phenomena are silently reshaping Angola’s fisheries and the global marine economy. For the fishermen seeking catches nearshore, this is more than a challenge to their livelihoods—it is a battle against the forces of nature.
大西洋环流与厄尔尼诺：安哥拉渔业的幕后推手
当谈到安哥拉近海鱼群的减少，很多人第一反应是过度捕捞的“人祸”，却忽略了隐藏在地球系统中的“天灾”。其实，海洋生态的变化更像是一盘巨大的棋局，而棋手并非我们。
如果说大西洋是一部叙事深沉的史诗，那么气候变化无疑为它添上了波澜起伏的章节。而安哥拉，这片拥有1600公里海岸线的国度，正站在故事的风口浪尖。从大西洋环流的减缓到厄尔尼诺现象的冲击,再到近年来非洲降雨量显著增加的现实，这一切正在悄无声息地重塑安哥拉及全球渔业的格局和未来。对于那些试图在近海打捞鱼群的渔民而言，这不仅是一场生计的挑战，更是一场与大自然的博弈。
文 | Caroline Liang
大西洋环流崩溃：海洋温度的“致命波动”
The Collapse of the Atlantic Circulation: Deadly Fluctuations in Ocean Temperature
The Atlantic circulation is the “lifeline” of global marine ecosystems. This intricate network of currents, driven by the “thermohaline circulation,” transports warm water from the equator to the north and cold water from the Arctic back south, regulating the Earth’s climate and the distribution of marine life. However, in recent years, climate change has slowed this circulation, triggering a cascade of ecological consequences akin to falling dominoes.
1. Declining Water Temperatures and Fish Migration
As the circulation slows, the transport of warm water near the equator weakens, causing surface water temperatures off the coast of Angola to drop by 3–5 degrees Celsius. While this may seem like a minor shift, for marine life—especially fish—it represents a dramatic change in their habitat.
•Deeper Migration: For every degree of temperature decline, fish habitats retreat 5–10 meters deeper into the ocean in search of more suitable conditions. This makes nearshore fishing more costly and often results in the complete disappearance of target fish populations.
•Disrupted Food Chains: Changes in water temperature also impact the distribution of plankton, a primary food source for many fish species. With plankton populations dwindling, fish reproduction declines, further depleting nearshore resources.
2. Long-term Effects: A Regional Crisis Amplified
Scientists warn that if the Atlantic circulation continues to slow—or worse, collapses entirely—it will lead to further temperature declines and broader ecological imbalances. Angola’s fisheries are just the tip of the iceberg; the entire West African coastal ecosystem could be at risk. This crisis transcends national borders, presenting a global challenge that demands international attention.
大西洋环流崩溃：海洋温度的“致命波动”
大西洋环流是全球海洋生态的“生命线”。这条复杂的水流网络以“热盐循环”为驱动，将赤道地区的暖水向北输送，并将北极的冷水向南回流，从而调节地球的气候与海洋生物的分布。然而，近些年由于气候变化，大西洋环流出现了明显减缓的迹象，其带来的生态影响如多米诺骨牌般接连发生。
1.水温下降与鱼群迁移
随着环流速度的减缓，赤道附近的暖水输送变弱，安哥拉近海的表层水温下降了3-5摄氏度。乍看之下，几度的变化似乎不算大，但对海洋生物，特别是鱼类而言，这却是生存环境的巨变。
• 迁移深度增加：每下降一度，鱼类的栖息范围便会向深海退缩5-10米，以寻找更适宜的水温。对传统近海捕捞而言，这意味着捕捞成本增加，甚至直接失去目标鱼群。
• 生物链断裂：水温的变化还影响了浮游生物的分布，而它们是许多鱼类的主要食物来源。随着浮游生物减少，鱼群繁殖受到限制，进一步削弱了近海资源。
2.长远影响：区域性危机的放大器
科学家警告说，如果大西洋环流持续减缓甚至崩溃，不仅会导致水温的进一步下降，还可能引发更广泛的生态失衡。安哥拉的近海渔业资源只是冰山一角，整个非洲西海岸的生态系统都可能受到波及。这场危机，是全球性的，不分国界。
El Niño: The “Climate Game” Disrupting Global Fisheries
厄尔尼诺现象：扰乱全球渔业的“气候游戏”
El Niño: The “Climate Game” Disrupting Global Fisheries
While changes in the Atlantic circulation represent a long-term shift in ocean ecosystems, El Niño is a more immediate and direct disruptor. Occurring every 2–7 years, El Niño triggers dramatic fluctuations in climate and ocean systems on a global scale. Angola, unfortunately, finds itself downstream of its cascading effects.
1. The Battle of Water Temperatures: Cold vs. Warm Currents
At its core, El Niño involves an abnormal rise in sea surface temperatures across the equatorial Pacific. This warming spreads globally through atmospheric circulation, ultimately impacting Angola’s coastal waters. Combined with the cooling effects of the Atlantic circulation slowdown, these temperature fluctuations create intensified instability in Angola’s nearshore waters:
•Disrupted Reproductive Cycles: Fish breeding cycles are thrown off balance, with previously stable spawning seasons disappearing.
•Altered Feeding Patterns: Fish change their feeding routes, making it even harder for fishermen to locate and catch them.
2. Amplified Extreme Weather Events
El Niño’s impact extends beyond water temperatures, directly fueling extreme weather events in Angola. Recent years have seen sudden heavy rains and sharp temperature drops in regions like Malanje and Luanda. These disruptions damage both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, indirectly undermining the stability of fisheries.
El Niño’s short-term shocks, combined with the long-term effects of Atlantic circulation changes, present a compounded challenge for Angola’s fisheries and the global marine economy.
厄尔尼诺现象：扰乱全球渔业的“气候游戏”
如果说大西洋环流的变化是海洋生态的“长线效应”，那么厄尔尼诺（El Niño）则是一个更加短期且直接的冲击。厄尔尼诺每隔2-7年一次的爆发，总是在全球范围内掀起气候和海洋系统的剧烈波动，而安哥拉则正处于其连锁反应的下游。
1.水温的对抗：冷水与暖水的博弈
厄尔尼诺的核心影响是赤道太平洋水温的异常升高，这种升温通过大气环流扩散到全球，最终影响到安哥拉的近海水域。与大西洋环流导致的降温相叠加，安哥拉近海的温度波动变得更加剧烈：
• 鱼类的繁殖周期被打乱，原本稳定的产卵季节消失。
• 鱼群觅食路径的改变进一步增加了渔民的捕捞难度。
2.极端天气的放大效应
厄尔尼诺不仅影响水温，还直接引发安哥拉的极端天气事件。近年来，安哥拉的马兰热（Malanje）和罗安达（Luanda）地区频繁出现突如其来的暴雨和骤降。海洋和陆地的生态系统被破坏，间接影响到渔业资源的稳定。
Freshwater Meets the Ocean: The Unexpected “Shockwave” of Increased Rainfall
淡水入海：降雨带来的意外“冲击波”
Increased Rainfall and River Flow Diluting Ocean Salinity
In recent years, rainfall across the African continent has surged, dramatically increasing the flow of major rivers such as the Congo, Kwanza, and Zambezi into the Atlantic Ocean. This steady influx of freshwater is profoundly altering the ecological balance of nearshore marine environments:
•Diluted Salinity: The Atlantic, known for its high salinity, is now experiencing significant dilution in coastal areas due to the influx of freshwater. For many fish species that rely on specific salinity levels to survive, this change disrupts their natural rhythm.
•“Salt-Avoidance” Behavior: Like skilled “ocean detectives,” fish are quick to detect changes in salinity, prompting them to migrate to deeper waters in search of more suitable habitats.
The Double-Edged Sword of Freshwater and Sediments
Freshwater inflow doesn’t just dilute salinity—it also carries a surge of sediments and nutrients. River mouths like those of the Congo have become ecological “hotspots”:
•Changes in Plankton Growth: While sediment increases can temporarily boost plankton growth, they also alter plankton distribution, making it harder for fish to locate predictable food sources.
•Shifting Habitats: Changes in salinity and food availability force some nearshore fish species to relocate, migrating to deeper or more distant waters as a survival strategy. These migrations are both a form of self-preservation and a reluctant response to the changing environment.
Feeding Behavior: A “Migration Drama” for Survival
Fish migration is not only a natural reaction to salinity and temperature shifts but also a survival tactic driven by the need to feed. The effects of freshwater dilution and reduced salinity on the food chain make the deep sea a more attractive haven.
•Disrupted Food Chains: As salinity changes push plankton away from nearshore areas, smaller fish follow their food source, forcing higher-level predators to chase them into deeper waters.
•Deep-Sea Food Resource Appeal: Compared to the unstable nearshore environment, the deep sea offers richer and more reliable feeding opportunities. Fish migration to deeper waters is not just about survival but also about securing the future of their species.
淡水入海：降雨带来的意外“冲击波”
雨水增多，河流入海，盐度被稀释
近年来，非洲大陆降雨量普遍增加，尤其是刚果河、宽扎河、松贝河等几大河流的流量显著提升，源源不断地将淡水注入大西洋。这一现象正在深刻改变近海海域的生态平衡。
• 盐度稀释：大西洋本身以高盐度著称，但随着淡水的持续注入，近海盐度被大幅稀释。对于许多依赖特定盐度生存的鱼类来说，这样的变化足以扰乱它们的生活节奏。
• “避盐”行为：鱼类像是天然的“海洋侦探”，它们迅速感知盐度的变化，随之向深海迁徙以寻找更适宜的生存环境。
淡水与沉积物的“双刃剑”
淡水带来的不仅是稀释效应，还有大量的沉积物和养分。刚果河等河流的入海口已成为生态“热点区域”：
• 浮游生物的变化：沉积物增加虽然一时促进了部分浮游生物的生长，却也影响了它们的分布，使得鱼类觅食路径更难以预测。
• 栖息地的改变：部分近海鱼类因盐度和食物链变化不得不搬家，迁往深海或更远的区域。这些迁徙不仅是鱼类的自我保护，也是生存的无奈选择。
觅食行为：鱼群的生存“迁徙剧”
鱼类的迁徙不仅是对盐度和温度变化的自然反应，更是一场由觅食需求驱动的“生存战术”。淡水稀释、盐度降低对捕食链的影响，让深海成为一个更理想的觅食天堂。
• 捕食链条的断裂：盐度变化使得浮游生物从近海转移，小型鱼类跟随觅食，高阶鱼类则不得不追逐它们向深海移动。
• 深海食物资源的吸引力：相比于不稳定的近海环境，深海提供了更丰富、更稳定的觅食资源。鱼类迁徙深海，不仅是为了生存，也是为了延续种群。
Multiple Factors at Play: The Inevitable Decline of Coastal Fish Stocks
多重因素叠加：近海鱼类减少的必然结果
Attributing the recent decline in coastal fish populations in Angola to a single cause would be an oversimplification. From freshwater inflows and salinity changes to the slowing of ocean currents and the impacts of El Niño, each factor plays a critical role in this ecological upheaval.
1.The Dual Pressure of Salinity and Temperature: Freshwater inflows dilute salinity, while reduced circulation lowers water temperatures, collectively forcing fish to abandon traditional habitats.
2.Disrupted Food Chains: Fish migration is driven not just by habitat instability but also by the search for abundant food resources now concentrated in deeper waters.
3.The Deep Sea as a New Territory: Natural changes have made the deep sea a new haven for fish, directly challenging the traditional coastal fishing industry.
多重因素叠加：近海鱼类减少的必然结果
将近些年安哥拉近海鱼类数量减少归结为单一原因是片面的。从淡水入海、盐度变化到环流减缓、厄尔尼诺现象，每一个因素都在这场生态剧变中扮演着重要角色。
1. 盐度与温度的双重压力：淡水注入稀释了盐度，环流减缓则降低了水温，两者共同迫使鱼类离开传统栖息地。
2. 觅食链的改变：鱼类迁徙不仅是为了生存环境的稳定，更是为了跟随深海丰富的食物资源。
3. 深海成新“领地”：种种自然变化让深海逐渐成为鱼类的新乐园，而传统近海渔业模式则受到直接冲击。
Deeper Reflection: A Global Perspective on Fisheries Challenges
深度思考：渔业挑战背后的全球视角
The ocean is a highly complex and interconnected system. The slowing of the Atlantic circulation, the occurrence of El Niño, freshwater inflows, and salinity changes are all manifestations of global climate change. These phenomena highlight the far-reaching impact of human activities on natural systems, with fisheries being one of the hardest-hit sectors.
1.A Shared Responsibility for Resource Challenges
The decline in Angola’s coastal fish stocks is not the fault of any single country or group but rather a reflection of global challenges. While climate change is driven by factors worldwide, it is often vulnerable fishing communities that bear the brunt of its effects. This issue is not unique to Angola but is also seen in countries like Peru and Indonesia, which depend heavily on fisheries.
2.The Need for Global Cooperation
Addressing the combined impacts of the Atlantic circulation slowdown and El Niño requires more than individual efforts by any one nation or industry. Global fisheries governance must involve closer collaboration, including the sharing of sustainable technologies, coordinated responses to climate risks, and collective action to protect marine resources.
深度思考：渔业挑战背后的全球视角
海洋是一个高度复杂且相互关联的系统。大西洋环流的减缓，厄尔尼诺现象的爆发，以及淡水入海和盐度变化等实际上只是全球气候变化的缩影。它们背后反映的是人类活动对自然系统的深远影响，而这些变化对渔业的冲击尤其显著。
1.资源问题不是单一责任
安哥拉近海资源的减少，不是某个国家或某个群体的责任，而是全球性挑战的体现。气候变化的驱动因素遍布全球，但承受其后果的，却往往是以渔业为生的弱势群体。这一现象不仅发生在安哥拉，也出现在秘鲁、印度尼西亚等依赖渔业的国家。
2.全球合作的必要性
面对大西洋环流和厄尔尼诺等气候变化的叠加影响，单靠某一个国家或某个行业的努力显然不够。全球渔业治理需要更加紧密的合作，包括推动环保技术的共享、气候风险的联动应对，以及资源保护的共同行动。
Conclusion: The Ocean’s Metaphor—Challenges and Opportunities Coexist 大海的隐喻：挑战与机遇并存
The Atlantic circulation, El Niño, increased rainfall, and freshwater influx—these seemingly distant natural phenomena—are quietly reshaping the ecological landscape of Angola’s coastal waters. The decline in fish populations off Angola’s shores is a symptom of the long-term crisis driven by climate change. Yet this crisis is not only a test for those who depend on fisheries but also an opportunity to push for industry upgrades and technological innovation.
Chinese fishing enterprises in Angola have actively embraced their social responsibilities, making significant contributions to Angola’s economic and social development. They are not merely participants in the industry but vital cogs in the complex machinery of global climate and economic systems. Through broader cooperation and a deeper sense of responsibility, these enterprises are not only working to address immediate challenges but are also contributing to the sustainable development of the global marine ecosystem.
结语：大海的隐喻：挑战与机遇并存
大西洋环流、厄尔尼诺、降雨、淡水，这些似乎遥不可及的自然现象，却在悄无声息间改变了安哥拉近海的生态画卷。安哥拉近海的鱼群减少，背后是气候变化带来的长期危机。而这场危机，既是对渔业从业者的考验，也是推动产业升级和技术革新的契机。
中国渔业企业在安哥拉积极履行社会责任，为安哥拉经济社会发展做出了巨大贡献，不仅是行业的一部分，更是全球气候与经济系统中复杂齿轮的一环。通过更广泛的合作、更深远的责任意识，中国企业不仅在认真参与问题的解决，更在为全球海洋生态的可持续发展贡献自己的力量。
As the old saying goes, “The sea is always changing, but within change lies hope.” Within the natural rules set by the ocean, only by choosing adaptation, innovation, and collaboration can we continue to navigate the vast and ever-changing waters.
正如那句老话所说，“大海永远在变，但改变本身也孕育着希望。”在这种大自然设定的规则中，唯有选择适应、创新和协作，才能在波澜壮阔的大海中继续航行。
The ocean’s transformations have never been separate from the land, and humanity’s future has never been independent of nature.
海洋的变化从未独立于陆地，而人类的未来，也从未独立于自然。
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