Marine heat waves in the Mediterranean Sea: An assessment from the surface to the subsurface to meet national needs

In the Mediterranean Sea, marine ecosystems and resource-based economy are shared among many countries, making this a regional sea of important geopolitical economic stakes. Over last decades, heat waves (MHWs) in Sea have caused mass-mortality events various species critical losses for seafood industries. MHWs expected to become more intense, longer frequent through anthropogenic warming. This study proposes better understand how much each country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters may be affected by MHW changes, contribute decision support management adaptation at national scale. The variability surface subsurface is assessed over 1987-2019 period EEZs, which ocean areas where sovereign states special rights. Combining high-resolution satellite observations reanalysis, temperature content used define MHWs. characteristics selected highlight differences between extreme events. frequency higher than has significantly increased most EEZs both subsurface, while duration all EEZs. intensities decrease with depth, its increase time disparate throughout basin. maximum intensity displays significant positive trends values western it reaches Levantine contrast, cumulative exhibits trend eastern subsurface. choice “Top-Ten” list shows that impact different depending on emphasizing need consider avoid focusing only surface. Overall, results necessity strengthening observing systems establish local-scale risk assessments respond diverse stakeholder needs.