On September 14, 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that the 2026 El Niño had strengthened into an exceptionally strong event. The event has been described in the media as a Super El Niño or Godzilla El Niño.
We often hear about the potentially devastating impacts of El Niño on our communities. Some places may face increased drought, while others may experience heavier rainfall and flooding.
But what happens beneath the surface? How does El Niño reshape the ocean and, ultimately, the people and communities that depend on the ocean?
Elle Wibisono is the Technical Director of the Blue Lab at Georgetown SFS Asia-Pacific. A fishery scientist and science communicator, she has worked across international NGOs, government, and coastal communities — bringing together perspectives on how people and the ocean shape each other. Elle is the author of A Snapper Tale, a children's book on the surprising diversity of red-colored snappers, and occasionally publishes fish comics at @fishtory.co. Her current work sits at the intersection of art, science, and policy — finding ways to create real impact for communities and nature.
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