When you think of sharks, you think of ‘Jaws’, Australian seas, and ‘Blue Planet’. You certainly don’t imagine a dorsal fin cutting through the waters at your local beach here in Britain. However, with rising temperatures in UK waters, some marine biologists have warned that that could become a reality.
We’re all aware that the climate is changing, and that it’s having generally catastrophic impacts on wildlife around the world, including right here in Britain. Marine life is being particularly affected by global warming because the sea absorbs huge amounts of the excess heat produced when we burn fossil fuels. The more oil, gas, and coal we use, the more rapidly our oceans heat up, in turn endangering certain species and forcing others to migrate to more hospitable waters.
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) is responsible for predicting how climate change is going to affect fish on British shores, and according to a recent study from the government body, the makeup of our sea beds could look very different in 50 years time.
The findings, which were published in a scientific journal, explain that ‘spurdog, thornback and undulate rays and native oysters’ are likely to see their numbers increase most in the south and the west of the UK. Spurdogs are a type of small shark, while thornback and undulate rays are venomous, non-stinging rays which might give you a fright to see in the wild.
The animals that are likely to see their populations decrease are those which are ‘immobile’, meaning that they cannot move on their own – such as sea fans (which are coral) as well as various types of mollusks, muscles,and clams. The ocean quahog, which is a small clam, can usually live up to 500 years, but scientists are unsure of how it will fare in warmer waters. All of this could result in ‘knock-on impacts to ecosystems and food-webs as species’ distributions shift at different rates’, the study notes.
The researchers also added that even the species they identified as potentially thriving under hotter conditions will still be at risk of overfishing and ‘human disturbance’. It suggests that this research should be used to help authorities identify where ‘active interventions’ are necessary to help protect our fishy friends.
In short, we humans need to start taking better care of the Earth, and the animals we share it with if we want a better future for everyone.
Making the most of Britain’s nature
It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to the natural world here in the UK. For instance, the world’s second biggest eagle has made a return to England, and this African tree has just flowered for the first time ever on British shores. If you want to get out and see the sea for yourself, head to our favourite coastal towns, or to some of our favourite wild swimming locations. Alternatively, visit one of these natural wonders.
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