From the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, rising water temperatures and more frequent heat waves are changing what’s found under the surface, as mass migrations of whole species transform generational fishing business, offshore recreation and even what’s on the menu at local restaurants.

In 2024, Advance Local Media newsrooms in Alabama, New Jersey, Michigan and Oregon set out to document the changes. Some of what fishermen are reporting is sudden, the effects decisive and clear, while other changes are more subtle and still emerging.

Scientists are just beginning to document the changing patterns, as they tease apart how warming waters affect ecosystems influenced by many variables. For now, scientists are sure things are getting hotter, and the fishermen are sure marine species are on the move. And no one can say for certain what comes next.