Fears of 'rat-like' ocean infestation

CANBERRA - Small "weedy" fish described as the cockroaches or rats of the ocean could dominate the world's seas if ocean acidification continues at its current rate, researchers at the University of Adelaide said on Friday.

For the first time, researchers have managed to demonstrate the effects of ocean acidification, and according to University of Adelaide marine ecologist Ivan Nagelkerken, fish diversity would be reduced as a result of changes to the ecosystem.

In a statement, Nagelkerken said ocean acidification negatively affected large sea plants such as kelp, which is used by medium-sized predators to hide from larger predators.