Latest news with #baskingsharks
BBC News
3 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Different species in island waters due to rising temperatures
Different species of marine life have been spotted in Guernsey's waters due to rises in sea temperatures, a marine expert has said. Nicky Harris from the Marine Biology section of La Societe Guernesiaise said higher temperatures of up to 19C (66.2F) mean species more common to Mediterranean waters have been seen off the island's coast. It comes as the UK's seas have had their warmest start to the year since records Harris said although some species are "able to cope with a range of temperatures" others prefer colder waters. She said basking sharks, which used to be seen commonly in the waters around the islands, were less in numbers as they prefer colder temperatures. "We really don't see them anymore and they are heading up Ireland's coast instead," she said."Instead we are seeing things that are Mediterranean-focused, things like gilt-head bream, we didn't used to see and now they're becoming a bit more common in our waters." "We really need to be conscious of and adapt to climate change and warming waters in the Channel Islands," Ms Harris said."Warmer air temperatures is going to have impacts on our weather patterns, we already do see increase in storm intensity and storm frequency, that's going to be something that we continue to see."
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.
