Britain's Seas Now Teem With Species New To Northern Waters - Independent

[hatrack]

Warmer sea temperatures are attracting a record number and range of exotic sea life to Britain's coastline. Global warming and hotter summers mean some unusual species are appearing in Britain's traditionally colder waters, according to leading scientists. Dr Simon Vauxhall, a lecturer in oceanography at the University of Southampton, said: "We are seeing a pattern of the typical fish species, such as cod and haddock, exiting the warmer waters and being replaced by more unusual species.

"This is occurring for two reasons; one, generally ocean temperatures have been rising. This is largely down to the effect of global warming. Second, this summer has been just a particularly warm summer in itself. The warm surface water heated by the sun attracts these new species."

Reported sightings of a great white shark and rare mako sharks are one indicator that Britain's coastal wildlife is becoming more varied. A BBC1 documentary, Sharks - Great Whites in Great Britain?, to be broadcast tonight, will examine evidence that the man-eaters are prowling British waters.

Cornish residents were astonished last week to spot 19 sunfish in just two hours. The carnivore can weigh in at two tonnes, exceed three metres in length and is usually found in tropical or sub-tropical seas. Government figures show British sea temperatures rising gradually over the past 70 to 100 years, with a substantial increase over the past 20 years. Scientists say as the temperature of British coastal waters rises, British fish are in increasing competition with their more exotic foreign cousins, but experts say warmer temperatures lead to more algae, or more fish food overall.

EDIT

http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article1204501.ece

[Canuckistanian]

1. Ocean Sunfish - Amazing

Their Latin name is Mola Mola - Millstone.

[hatrack]

2. Yeah, pretty cool, aren't they?

:toast:

[Canuckistanian]

3. Just another reminder of what we're losing

Or is this just a re-shuflling of the environmental deck?

[XemaSab]

4. I've seen sunfish off washington state

:shrug:

Same trip we had a red-legged kittiwake. :D