Latest news with #SouthWest
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
Climate change driving octopus surge, says Plymouth scientist
A dramatic surge in octopus numbers along the South West coast of the UK is being linked to climate lucrative octopus bloom has led to a dramatic fall in the number of shellfish such as crab, lobsters and scallops which the octopus preys long-term consequences for the region's shellfish industry are now concerning those in the fishing Bryce Stewart, a marine ecologist with the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth, said the octopus bloom was likely to be the result of unusually warm sea temperatures and shifting ocean currents, both driven by global climate change. "This year has seen an explosion in octopus numbers, particularly in Cornwall," Dr Stewart said. "Fishermen first started noticing more octopus in 2022 and while numbers dipped slightly last year, 2025 has brought a dramatic increase."The species in question, the European or Mediterranean octopus (Octopus vulgaris), is typically associated with warmer with sea temperatures in the South West reaching up to 4C above normal this year - an "unbelievably warm" anomaly, according to Dr Stewart - conditions have become increasingly favourable for their reproduction and survival, he said."Even a one or two degree rise can have a huge impact on marine life which are ectothermic and rely on the surrounding water to regulate their body temperature," he said."Octopus breed in spring and summer and warmer temperatures during those months help their eggs and young develop more successfully," Dr Stewart explained. "But what's really crucial is the winter temperature. "Normally, cold winters would kill off many of the young but this past winter was exceptionally warm, allowing more to survive." Dr Stewart thinks that octopus have now become a feature of the local warming trend is part of a broader ecological shift, he said. "We're seeing more Mediterranean species in UK waters and fewer cold-water species like cod, haddock and pollock," Dr Stewart said. "The ecosystem is changing rapidly and that is directly tied to climate change."For shell-fishermen like Alan Steer, who works out of Beesands in Devon, the impact has been immediate and severe."We'd never seen an octopus five years ago," he said. "Now, since February, it's been an explosion. "They're devastating the shellfish we rely on. Crabs and lobsters are being eaten in the pots before we can land them." Mr Steer, vice chair of South Devon and Channel Shell-fishermen, estimates his catch has dropped by at least 60% this summer, with some pots coming up filled only with empty scallop shells and fragments of crab and lobster. "It's been dramatic," he said. "We already had a slight decline over the last two years but this year, with the octopus, it's just dropped off a cliff."While some fishermen have managed to sell octopus to new markets, others are struggling. "The vessels that haven't been catching octopus but are still seeing a drop in crab and lobster are having a very, very difficult time," he said. "Some boats have already left the industry."Mr Steer and others are now experimenting with octopus-specific pots that do not require costly crab bait but uncertainty remains. "We're trying a few but we don't know if this is something we can invest in wholeheartedly without knowing the science behind whether they're going to be here for very long," he said. Dr Stewart is leading a new study funded by Defra, Plymouth City Council and Devon County Council to understand the phenomenon."We'll know more in six months but it's clear that climate change is reshaping our coastal ecosystems in real time," he now, Mr Steer is cautiously adapting, testing new pot designs aimed at catching octopus with an eye on history which has shown that blooms like this have lasted a few years and then vanished, leaving shellfish stocks depleted for years afterwards."I've been calling myself an octopus fisherman for the last six months," he said. "It's been good to us so far this year and I hope we can keep going. "But if they disappear, I think we're in for some very tough times."
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
South West GP Douglas William McCarthy paid underage girls for sex, Perth court hears
A WA doctor paid underage girls for sex and kept a video library of his alleged offending, a Perth court has heard. WARNING: This article contains details some readers may find distressing. Douglas William McCarthy is on trial in the District Court, accused of sex offences against girls mainly aged 14 and 15 in the South West. Prosecutor Sean Stocks said the doctor gave the girls money in exchange for photos and sex. He said Mr McCarthy liked the girls to call him "a good boy" and kept a "video and picture library of his exploits". The 63-year-old is facing 15 charges relating to eight alleged victims. When the GP was targeted by police in 2022, he offered bribes to some of the girls "to keep quiet", Mr Stocks told the court. Mr Stocks told the jurors that by the end of the trial, they would have "watched Mr McCarthy have sex with children". He described in graphic detail what the videos and images allegedly depicted, and said they would learn about the "sexy outfits" and toys he bought for the girls. "You'll hear about the drugs, the alcohol, the hotels, the parties," Mr Stocks said. At one point, the District Court was told, Mr McCarthy caught chlamydia and prescribed medication to his alleged victims. One of the girls stayed with him at the doctor's accommodation in regional WA and had sex with him there, the court was told. Mr McCarthy paid $1,300 to a 15-year-old "under the influence of drugs and alcohol" to have sex with him because she was a virgin, Mr Stocks said. The court heard that girls had sent him photos of themselves and were paid for them before they saw him in person. The prosecutor said the case should be determined "by the facts and the law, not by emotion". He warned the jurors they might feel negative emotions towards the defendant and maybe even the girls, for accepting money. "The state doesn't bring this prosecution seeking moral judgement," he said. Mr Stocks told the jury it was unlawful to indecently deal with, or penetrate a child under 16, or to pay someone for sex if they were under 18. He also said it was unlawful to own child exploitation material. The trial is set down for four weeks, with several days of proceedings to be closed to the public.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Devon and Cornwall campaigners' mixed response to water overhaul
Environmental campaigners and industry stakeholders have given mixed responses to the government's announcement that water regulator Ofwat will be scrapped and Secretary Steve Reed said the overhaul, which follows an independent review, would "prevent the abuses of the past" and bring together fragmented oversight into a more accountable Pearson from water cleanliness advocates Friends of the Dart cautiously welcomed the move, calling the proposed ombudsman "a powerful tool for change."Campaign group, Cornwall-based Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), condemned the report as insufficient and cosmetic, claiming it was "putting lipstick on a pig". New water ombudsman will tackle leaks and overchargingFive key takeaways from the landmark water sector reviewWill the water industry proposals make any difference?Water bills will 'never again' jump as high, claims minister The Water Commission review, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, was set up in response to growing public concern about sewage spills and rising Pearson said: "We often hear people complaining that South West Water are effectively marking their own homework at the moment."She believes sustained investment and government-backed enforcement and needed for significant improvements to river health."What we need to see is not just identifying the problems, but consistent action towards resolving them," she said. "We need the right thing to be done, and we need it to be done methodically and with a long-term view." 'Taken for fools' Giles Bristow, chief executive of SAS, said the review "utterly fails to prioritise public benefit over private profit". "Only one path forward remains: a full, systemic transformation that ends the ruthless pursuit of profit and puts the public good at the heart of our water services," he the group welcomed the call for a national strategy, Mr Bristow dismissed the regulator overhaul as said: "We won't be taken for fools. Abolishing Ofwat and replacing it with a shinier regulator won't stop sewage dumping or profiteering if the finance and ownership structures stay the same." South West Water said it welcomed the report "and its focus on shaping a stronger water sector for the future"."The proposals outlined today reflect the importance of long-term strategic planning, local accountability, and better environmental and public health outcomes," it said."We are particularly supportive of efforts to update regulation, strengthen asset health, and introduce clearer national direction through a long-term water strategy." Analysis from BBC South West environment correspondent Kirk England "From sea swimmers to clean water campaigners, many will be hoping that Sir Jon Cunliffe's review will lead to change, particularly on tackling sewage spills."About a third of England's designated bathing waters are here in the South West."In 2024, although the overall number of spills by South West Water dropped slightly, to 56,000, the duration of those spills rose to 544,000 hours, up from 531,000 in 2023."South West Water has welcomed the publication of the Independent Water Commission's final report and has already said it is investing to tackle sewage discharges."But there are fears the proposed measures don't go far enough and will not lead to what so many people have told me they want to see - a significant and sustained reduction in sewage discharges into rivers and the sea."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Schools in Gloucestershire join toothbrushing scheme to battle decay
More than 6,000 children from 113 schools across Gloucestershire are participating in a toothbrushing club. In March, the Government announced that children in the most deprived areas of England will get access to a programme to help protect them from tooth decay. The NHS has been funding At Home Dental's Big Brush Club, since it was launched in 2024. They help provide schools with free toothbrushes, toothpaste and kits for the children to take home. Jermaine Badman, Big Brush Club Project Facilitator, said the club was a "preventative programme" to stop early cases of tooth decay. In the South West, more than 3,300 teachers and staff have been trained as Oral Health Champions. One of the 113 Primary Schools and Nurseries involved is Bream Church of England Primary School. Headteacher Nicky Brice said: "We all know children have to brush their teeth twice a day but there is a real technique to it, good oral hygiene is vital to introduce at an early stage."We know those challenging times are bed times and getting ready for school, this makes those daily routines a lot smoother and easier." Government statistics show that 22.4% of five year old schoolchildren in England had experience of obvious dental decay, with tooth decay the most common reason for hospital admissions in children aged between five and nine Badman and Chantelle Coles, Big Brush Club Project Facilitators, said: "We target areas of deprivation, educating children how to brush their teeth effectively."It gives them the independence of doing it themselves and it makes the children very familiar with what they need to be doing."The provide advice to parents through online webinars, advising them: "Children aged above three years old should use a pea size amount of toothpaste and below three years old, the size of a grain of rice."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Do YOU live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot? Here's how to spot and get rid of it
Bristol is the Japanese knotweed 'capital of England', new data from Environet shows. In the year to date, there have been 1,440 reported sightings of Japanese knotweed in the South West city, according to the findings. Merseyside is another hotspot for Japanese knotweed, with 2,963 sightings reported, but spanning a less dense area, at 11.87 episodes per square mile compared to 33.91 in Bristol. Greater London is the third most prevalent Japanese knotweed hub, with 4,687 reported sightings and 7.74 incidents per square mile. Lancashire came out in fourth place, seeing a hefty 8,612 sightings spanning 7.25 episodes per square mile. Residents in Greater Manchester also need to be on high alert for Japanese knotweed, with the area seeing 3,558 Japanese knotweed reports, translating to 7.22 incidents per square mile. Spanning further afield, the Isle of Man, a self-governing British crown dependency, also reached the top 10, as did the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Derbyshire and Nottingham, followed closely by the West Midlands and Surrey. What is Japanese knotweed? According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Japanese knotweed is a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, which was introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant but has since become an invasive weed subject to legal control measures. Japanese knotweed first arrived in Britain in the Victorian times in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Since then it has spread widely, with an average of 1.1 occurrences in every square mile of England and 3.9 in Wales, according to Environet. Japanese knotweed can grow in most soil conditions found in Britain, particularly in man-made habitats, such as roadsides, waste ground, railway embankments and cuttings and spoil tips. It is also commonly found along rivers and streams. Why is Japanese knotweed common in locations like Bristol? Speaking to This is Money, Emily Grant, a director at Environet, said: 'It's likely that Japanese knotweed is most prolific near ports such as Bristol, Liverpool and Cardiff, because of historical shopping and trading practices.' She added: 'In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries ships would return from all over the world carrying ballast, which often included soil containing non-native plant material like knotweed. 'That was then dumped to make way for the next cargo, and it quickly took hold. It may also have been planted deliberately to stabilise railway embankments and slag heaps. 'In industrial areas like Manchester, Lancashire and the Midlands, extensive soil movement from mining and construction accelerated its spread.' How can I spot Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. In August it starts flowering with bunches of tiny creamy-white blooms that hang in tassels. It can pose serious problems for homeowners, with underground rhizomes that can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. While serious damage to property is rare, mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, meaning it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value. Environet estimates that the presence of Japanese knotweed at a property can reduce its value by 5 per cent, though this is variable and will depend on the scale of the problem. A 2023 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the economy at nearly £250million per year. What should I do if I suspect Japanese knotweed? The government's website states: 'You must stop Japanese knotweed on your land from spreading off your property. 'Soil or plant material contaminated with non-native and invasive plants like Japanese knotweed can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste. 'You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it's causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.' If you do notice knotweed, you do not need to report it, but if it is on your property you should act sooner rather than later. 'The more it grows, the more it will cost to remove', Grant told This is Money. You will not be able to sell your property until you have had any Japanese knotweed professionally dealt with, and you could be at risk of a legal claim from a neighbour if you leave it to spread. Grant added: 'From there a treatment plan can be put in place, whether it's herbicide, removal, or a combination of both. 'Whatever option you go for, be sure to get an insurance-backed guarantee so if it starts to regrow you know you're covered – and that's what mortgage lenders will expect when you come to sell your property.' Japanese knotweed must be carefully disposed of carefully. If you cannot dispose of it suitably on site, you must send it to a landfill site or incineration facility that has the correct type of permit. It is best not to try and tackle a Japanese knotweed invasion yourself, unless you have appropriate training, skills and equipment. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
