Latest news with #Cefas
BBC News
24-06-2025
- BBC News
Invasive catfish removed from lake at Dinton Pastures Country Park
A species of fish that could potentially grow up to 9ft (2.7m) long and "devastate local wildlife" was found to have been illegally introduced to a Berkshire fishing Borough Council said a Wels catfish was caught by anglers at Dinton Pastures Country reported their catch to the council and two fish were humanely removed to protect native is illegal to stock the Wels catfish and others like it without a special licence from the Environment Agency and Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). The council said the "top predators" could "devastate local wildlife, including swans, geese and native fish species"."Thank you to the anglers who did the right thing - the vast majority of whom are responsible and conservation-minded - and to everyone who helps us protect Dinton's precious wildlife," a council statement said."We'll be keeping a close eye on things, but if you ever see anything that doesn't look right, please let one of the team know."The Canal and River Trust said that in continental Europe, with warmer water and plenty of food, Wels catfish have been known to grow to weights of 305.7kg (674lb). You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
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.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Sharks and oysters will be more common in warmer UK waters say scientists
Could the UK start to see more sharks in its seas?Well, scientists say that endangered sharks, rays and oysters are just some of the species that could increase their numbers around the UK waters as ocean temperatures rise. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) looked at how 19 threatened marine species will respond to the change in UK seas by says many creatures could find new homes in parts of the North Sea predicted to become biodiversity hotspots in the next 50 years, but other species would struggle to adapt, researchers found. According to experts, oceans across the world have reached record temperatures in the last few world's oceans are warming as they have absorbed up to 90% of the additional heating created when humans burn fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas, explained BBC climate reporter Georgina UK seas are among 20 places globally that have warmed fastest over the past 50 years, she analysis aims to guide the government as it plans how to ensure so-called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) continue to protect species even as they change habitat. This study, published in the journal Marine Biology, looked at more species that could flourish. Spurdog sharks, basking sharks and thornbacks - a type of ray with spines and oysters were all predicted to do well. But a type of clam that can live more than 500 years, was predicted to struggle in a warmer climate. And a small creature called a sea pen, which helps to build reefs, could lose up to 40% of their suitable habitat with 75 years. The loss of creatures like this could have a knock-on effect on food chains and eco-systems. Scientists also warned that in order for the creatures do well, people will need to do their part to look after the John Pinnegar, Principal Scientist and Lead Advisor on climate change at Cefas said: "The seas still need to be managed carefully and other pressures reduced if the creatures are to thrive in new habitats," he said.
