Vital Ocean Upwelling in Gulf of Panama Failed for First Time Ever — What Happens Now? Article continues below advertisementWhat happens if the Gulf of Panama fails? "For the first time since records began 40 years ago, the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf of Panama failed to emerge this year." 🐟 Upwelling failure: For the first time in 40 years, the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf of #Panama failed to emerge. Article continues below advertisementThe Gulf of Panama’s upwelling system, once clockwork, just failed for the first time in recorded history.