Latest news with #BryonyTownhill
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
UK waters could see surge in shark numbers scientists say, as they seek out new habitats
BRITISH waters could soon see a surge in shark species as they seek out new habitats, scientists say. These include increasing numbers of basking and spurdog sharks - which can grow up to 1.6 metres - and thornbacks, a type of stingray with spines. Advertisement 2 Basking sharks are expected to thrive further in British waters Credit: Getty 2 The sharks, pictured here close to a Scottish Highland coast, can grow to 32ft Credit: Graham Campbell Scientists have mapped out how those at threat of extinction will migrate for a better chance of survival as sea temperatures rise. The research - undertaken by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) - showed native oysters will be amongst the biggest winners. Experts say mobile species will cope best, but static creatures could struggle to adapt - with fears the sea pen could lose as much as 40 percent of their habitat by the end of the century. The ocean quahog, a type of clam that can live more than 500 years, is also predicted to find it harder to adapt. Advertisement Read more news Bryony Townhill, marine scientist at Cefas, told "Any changes that we see in our seas are particularly impactful." She added that movement of the 19 species could result in bigger catches for fishermen in coastal communities. I went to see basking sharks off Irish coast and I can't believe how lucky I was Professor John Pinnegar, director of the Cefas Marine Climate Change Centre, said the biggest surprise from the findings was the possibility of native oysters thriving. Advertisement Most read in The Sun "They've been declining and disappearing for 100 years - and yet the climate model suggests they should be doing fine and perhaps even thriving," he explained. Prof Pinnegar said although there is potential for new habitats, the vulnerable species still need protecting from the likes of fishing equipment, disease and pollution. Basking sharks are the second-largest living shark after the whale shark, and can grow up to 10 metres, or 32ft. They are not, however, a threat to humans, and live on plankton. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
18-06-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
UK waters could see surge in shark numbers scientists say, as they seek out new habitats
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITISH waters could soon see a surge in shark species as they seek out new habitats, scientists say. These include increasing numbers of basking and spurdog sharks - which can grow up to 1.6 metres - and thornbacks, a type of stingray with spines. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Basking sharks are expected to thrive further in British waters Credit: Getty 2 The sharks, pictured here close to a Scottish Highland coast, can grow to 32ft Credit: Graham Campbell Scientists have mapped out how those at threat of extinction will migrate for a better chance of survival as sea temperatures rise. The research - undertaken by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) - showed native oysters will be amongst the biggest winners. Experts say mobile species will cope best, but static creatures could struggle to adapt - with fears the sea pen could lose as much as 40 percent of their habitat by the end of the century. The ocean quahog, a type of clam that can live more than 500 years, is also predicted to find it harder to adapt. Bryony Townhill, marine scientist at Cefas, told BBC News: "As an island nation, we're hugely reliant on the sea for our food and for jobs. "Any changes that we see in our seas are particularly impactful." She added that movement of the 19 species could result in bigger catches for fishermen in coastal communities. I went to see basking sharks off Irish coast and I can't believe how lucky I was Professor John Pinnegar, director of the Cefas Marine Climate Change Centre, said the biggest surprise from the findings was the possibility of native oysters thriving. "They've been declining and disappearing for 100 years - and yet the climate model suggests they should be doing fine and perhaps even thriving," he explained. Prof Pinnegar said although there is potential for new habitats, the vulnerable species still need protecting from the likes of fishing equipment, disease and pollution. Basking sharks are the second-largest living shark after the whale shark, and can grow up to 10 metres, or 32ft. They are not, however, a threat to humans, and live on plankton.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Sun
UK waters could see surge in shark numbers scientists say, as they seek out new habitats
BRITISH waters could soon see a surge in shark species as they seek out new habitats, scientists say. These include increasing numbers of basking and spurdog sharks - which can grow up to 1.6 metres - and thornbacks, a type of stingray with spines. 2 Scientists have mapped out how those at threat of extinction will migrate for a better chance of survival as sea temperatures rise. The research - undertaken by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) - showed native oysters will be amongst the biggest winners. Experts say mobile species will cope best, but static creatures could struggle to adapt - with fears the sea pen could lose as much as 40 percent of their habitat by the end of the century. The ocean quahog, a type of clam that can live more than 500 years, is also predicted to find it harder to adapt. Bryony Townhill, marine scientist at Cefas, told BBC News: "As an island nation, we're hugely reliant on the sea for our food and for jobs. "Any changes that we see in our seas are particularly impactful." She added that movement of the 19 species could result in bigger catches for fishermen in coastal communities. Professor John Pinnegar, director of the Cefas Marine Climate Change Centre, said the biggest surprise from the findings was the possibility of native oysters thriving. "They've been declining and disappearing for 100 years - and yet the climate model suggests they should be doing fine and perhaps even thriving," he explained. Prof Pinnegar said although there is potential for new habitats, the vulnerable species still need protecting from the likes of fishing equipment, disease and pollution. Basking sharks are the second-largest living shark after the whale shark, and can grow up to 10 metres, or 32ft. They are not, however, a threat to humans, and live on plankton.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
More sharks are expected in UK waters. Here's why
A new study by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) predicts that rising ocean temperatures will cause shifts in marine species distribution around the UK by 2060. The study, published in Marine Biology, indicates that some species like oysters, basking sharks, and thornbacks will thrive in warmer waters. Others, such as ocean quahogs and sea pens, are expected to struggle. The North Sea is warming rapidly, becoming one of the top 20 fastest-warming areas globally, with May seeing UK waters up to four degrees warmer. Marine scientist Bryony Townhill of Cefas notes the significant impact of these changes on the UK, given its reliance on the sea for food and jobs.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
UK to see increase in sharks, rays and native oysters due to rising sea temperatures
Rising ocean temperatures could see animals such as endangered sharks and native oysters migrate to the UK. Parts of the North Sea could become biodiversity hotspots in the next 50 years, as the water around the UK becomes one of the top 20 places globally that has warmed the fastest due to the impact of climate change. It comes after an intense heatwave in May warmed UK waters by up to four degrees, while fishing communities have already spotted a difference as swarms of jellyfish or the Mediterranean octopus begin to appear near beaches. In the first study of its kind, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) mapped how 19 threatened marine species will respond to the change in UK seas by 2060. While oysters, basking sharks, spurdog sharks and thornbacks - a type of ray with spines - will thrive, other animals such as the long-lasting ocean quahog, a type of clam, will struggle. A sea pen, which is a small creature that helps build reefs, is predicted to lose up to 40 per cent of their suitable habitat by the turn of the next century, which will have an impact on marine ecosystems. It is not only the UK's seas that are warming, with temperatures increasing across the globe as the ocean absorbs 90 per cent of heating created by fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas. "As an island nation, we're hugely reliant on the sea for our food and for jobs. Any changes that we see in our seas are particularly impactful," Bryony Townhill, marine scientist at Cefas, told BBC News. The analysis, which has been published in the science journal Marine Biology, should assist the government as it plans to ensure that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) continue to protect species. Researchers however have stressed that these vulnerable species must still be protected from risks such as pollution and fishing equipment as they adapt to new habitats.
