Six ocean hot spots that teem with the biggest mix of species are getting hit hardest by global warming and industrial fishing, an international study co-authored by an Australian scientist has found.

The study published in the journal Science Advances looked at 2100 species of fish, seabirds, marine mammals and even plankton to calculate Earth's hot spots of marine biodiversity.

Research scientist Andre Chiaradia and research technical officer Leanne Renwick at the Penguin Parade Reserve on Phillip Island. Credit:Rebecca Hallas

It found overfishing and warming temperatures were hurting the lush life in these areas.

"Human activities drive environmental changes at scales that could potentially cause ecosystem collapses in the marine environment," the study says.