Latest news with #DebbieRussell
The National
18 hours ago
- Health
- The National
Significant decline among harbour seals in Scotland, study finds
Scotland's west coast is a region long considered as the last stronghold for the marine mammal in the UK and conservation experts have said the findings should serve as 'a real wake-up call'. Harbour seals have experienced long-term decline across much of the UK since the early 2000s, with the exception of the west coast of Scotland, where numbers held steady in the likes of the Inner Hebrides and the western Highlands. READ MORE: Green leadership have dispensed with the radicalism that got them elected Dr Debbie Russell, lead seal ecologist and deputy director of the SMRU said the figures mark a 'concerning turning point' for harbour seals' survival. 'For years, we've viewed the west coast as a refuge for harbour seals, a place where they seemed to be doing okay,' she said. She added: 'This is a real wake-up call. For years, we've viewed the west coast as a refuge for harbour seals, a place where they seemed to be doing okay. 'To now see declines in this region suggests that the pressures affecting these animals are becoming more widespread or severe.' The UK harbour seal population is genetically distinct from harbour seals elsewhere in continental Europe. Experts have said the decline of the UK population is particularly worrying in a wider geographical context. Researchers said the causes of the decline remain 'complex' as scientists are investigating several potential reasons as to why UK harbour seals numbers are dwindling. Experts have said some possible factors include disease outbreaks such as phocine distemper virus (PDV), environmental changes and reduced prey availability, possibly linked to climate change and competition with and predation by grey seals. Researchers added that decline on the west coast raises urgent questions about the resilience of the UK's marine ecosystems and the need for enhanced protections for marine mammals. Dr Carol Sparling, director of SMRU, called for urgency in addressing the matter.
STV News
19 hours ago
- Health
- STV News
Concerns grow amid 'significant decline' in harbour seal numbers
The number of harbour seals across the UK are showing 'significant signs of decline', a new study has found. Monitoring figures from the University of St Andrews Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) show that Scotland's west coast harbour seal numbers have dropped significantly for the first time in decades. The figures show a decline of 20% between 2018 and 2023. Experts said the figures mark a 'concerning turning point' for harbour seals' survival in British waters. Monica Arso Harbour seal figures show a decline of 20% between 2018 and 2023. This latest data revealed that numbers are now declining on the west coast of Scotland, where they had previously been stable or increasing. The west coast region had long been considered a 'stronghold' for the species, holding over 65% of the UK population and offering a glimmer of hope amid widespread population declines elsewhere in the UK. Since the early 2000s, harbour seals have experienced long-term declines across much of the UK, particularly in the Northern Isles, the east coast of Scotland, and, more recently, parts of south eastern England. Dr Debbie Russell, lead seal ecologist and deputy director of the SMRU said the figures are a 'real wake up call'. Monica Arso Monitoring figures from the University of St Andrews Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) show that Scotland's west coast harbour seal numbers have dropped significantly for the first time in decades. 'For years, we've viewed the west coast as a refuge for harbour seals, a place where they seemed to be doing okay,' she said. 'To now see declines in this region suggests that the pressures affecting these animals are becoming more widespread or severe.' The UK harbour seal population (Phoca vitulina) is genetically distinct from harbour seals elsewhere in continental Europe, so the decline of this unique population is particularly worrying in a wider geographical context. Researchers said the causes of the decline remain 'complex' with scientists are investigating several potential drivers. Some possible factors include disease outbreaks such as phocine distemper virus (PDV), environmental changes and reduced prey availability, possibly linked to climate change and competition with and predation by grey seals. The decline on the west coast raises urgent questions about the resilience of the UK's marine ecosystems and the need for enhanced protections for marine mammals. Dr Carol Sparling, director of SMRU, called for urgency in addressing the matter. 'We need to act quickly. That means continued investment in research and monitoring and the development of targeted conservation measures.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Durban North knitters hope to stitch new connections
A GROUP of residents have begun a knitting and crocheting group in the hopes of creating a community networking and learning opportunity for others to learn the skill. The group, based at St Margaret's Church in Durban North, is open to anyone wanting to share their skills or learn about crocheting and knitting. They meet on the first Saturday of every month, between 10:00 and 12:00. Also read: North Durban community comes together at Knit-A-Thon Debbie Russell, who many in the group cite as the linchpin of the community initiative, said the next meeting takes place on Saturday, May 3. 'Everyone is welcome to come and learn how to knit and crochet or just come along and chat while working on your latest project. It is something I've wanted to learn more about. I drew in another member of the church, Tracy Grant, and we spoke at a braai and the idea to start the group was born. We've already had a few residents join in but we'd love to see more come out and learn and grow with the crocheting and knitting skills. We always bring extra wool and extra crochet hooks and knitting needles if they don't have them,' she said. For La Lucia resident Grant, her journey with knitting began at a young age. 'My grandmother and mother taught me when I was a child and I've helped to teach others since we began this initiative. I find the fellowship of being with each other while chatting about all sorts of things; there is definitely a sense of community. I also find that knitting and crocheting is a good stress release, that repetitive motion is very calming,' Grant said. Also read: Childline calls on Durban North for toys and hygiene products Anne Taylor, another member of the group, began her journey with knitting in Grade One at school. 'While I learnt how to knit at school, I only learnt how to crochet when I grew up. I actually taught myself. Being a part of this group has made a positive impact on me because I get to learn from more experienced knitters and crocheters. It really teaches you patience and it's fun, especially when you find something that is difficult, it's nice to overcome with a group,' she said If you would like to get involved or join the group, contact Russell on 082 579 0077 or Cathy at the church on 031 563 9474 during office hours. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
