The expansion of the **Panama Canal** in 2016 triggered an **ecological phenomenon** with unpredictable consequences: the migration of marine species between the Atlantic and the Pacific. A recent study published in *Current Biology* warns that this exchange **is modifying local biodiversity** and could affect economic activities such as fishing and tourism.
Since its inauguration in 1914, the canal has been **a key route for global trade**. However, its original infrastructure, which included locks and the Gatun Lake as a natural barrier, limited the crossing of species. With the modernization of the locks and the removal of obstacles, more marine fish were able to cross the interoceanic route.
The study led by marine ecologist Gustavo Castellanos-Galindo revealed that, after the expansion, marine fish increased their presence in Gatun Lake. “Previously, they represented only 26% of the lake’s biomass; now, that figure has risen to 76%,” explained the researcher. **11 new species have been identified since 2016**, bringing the total to 29, including large predators such as tarpon and snook, which can alter local food chains.
Another worrying fact is the increase in salinity in the lake, which has quintupled in recent years. This change **favored the presence of marine species**, suggesting that these fish are not just passing through, but are adapting to the freshwater ecosystem.
**Parallelism with the Suez Canal**
The phenomenon in Panama is reminiscent of the case of the Suez Canal, which since its opening in 1869 facilitated the migration of species from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. This process, known as Lessepsian migration, **allowed the proliferation of toxic invasive species**, such as the silver pufferfish, which carries a lethal neurotoxin that caused deaths in countries such as Egypt and Turkey.
Scientists warn that biological traffic through the Panama Canal requires continuous monitoring to assess its **ecological and economic impacts**. The migration of species **could affect artisanal fishing**, on which many coastal communities depend, and irreversibly alter ecosystems.
While the expansion of the canal was a milestone for international trade, **its environmental effects must be considered** to avoid irreparable consequences for the marine biodiversity of the region.
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