Climate change harming seas
The UK's seas are being harmed by climate change, report warns
Wednesday, 16, Jan 2008 10:22
Marine climate change is "one of the most serious threats facing" the UK, the Cabinet secretary for the environment said today.
Richard Lochhead's comments follow the publication of a report detailing the effects of climate change on the UK's seas.
The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) report card for 2007/08 said warmer winters have been strongly linked to reduced breeding success and survival in some seabird populations.
Although fewer storms are predicted in future there will be an increased number of severe storms, the report says.
Coastal erosion and flooding are also expected to increase.
Rising temperatures are driving the changes in the UK's seas; 2006 was the second warmest year for UK coastal waters since records began in 1870 and seven of the ten warmest years have been in the last decade.
Commercial services provided by the UK's waters are predicted to suffer from climate change.
The MCCIP report says sea-level rise, coastal flooding, storms and bigger waves will affect ports, shipping and built structures.
It also warms fishing and fish farming will be affected by temperature change and plankton availability.
Mr Lochhead described marine climate change as a "truly global issue" which can only be addressed "if we work together".
"Our seas play a vital role in regulating our climate and are a lifeline for the communities that live around them," he said.
"The MCCIP annual report card paints a disturbing picture. But MCCIP are playing a vital role in helping us understand what we need to do to tackle the problem of climate change."
Marine minister Jonathan Shaw added: "Healthy seas are central to our wellbeing, shaping our climate as well as providing food and livelihoods.
"The MCCIP project shows the value of working together to protect the marine environment and to find sustainable solutions to the challenges we all face."