Manama: The global average ocean surface temperature reached 21.1°C on August 22, the highest recorded since satellite monitoring began in 1979, according to the European Union's Copernicus service.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Copernicus said the record was consistent with the El Ni±o phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean and the effects of human induced global warming. It warned that rising ocean temperatures pose risks to marine ecosystems and coastal communities.