Significant ocean warming, south of the Chatham Islands, could have an impact on fisheries

Research shows the ocean's warmed around five times the global rate - in a spot around 100 kilometres from the Chathams, due to the flow of ocean currents.

Warming's predicted to continue for at least 80 more years.

NIWA Oceanographer Phil Sutton says we should keep an eye on how fish adjust to these changes.

He says the warming is all the way to the bottom of the ocean.