Rising Temperatures Affect NI Marine Life

Rising sea temperatures are having a significant detrimental effect on Northern Ireland’s marine life.

A joint report was conducted in coastal waters at Rathlin, Skerries and Strangford Lough by researchers from National Museums Northern Ireland and Department of Environment’s Marine Division.

The study compares data from SCUBA diving surveys of Northern Ireland 20 years apart.

Dr Claire Goodwin, National Museums Northern Ireland Marine Biologist, who co-ordinated the later surveys said: "The raised temperatures are causing the contraction and disappearance of some species. We found that warmer water species at the extreme northern edge of their range had significantly increased in number and frequency and the distribution of nineteen species had expanded notably.

"Three species, the spider crab Maja brachydactyla, the sponge Hexadella racovitzae and the nudibranch Caloria elegans appear to have recently arrived in this region. Effects were less pronounced for colder water species at the extreme southern edge of their range with slight but not significant decreases only being apparent at one of the three areas studied.

"However, the distribution of seven species has contracted, including the feather star Antedon petasus which was formerly abundant and has now virtually disappeared. We didn’t find any effects on species not at the edges of their range."

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "We must play our part and live up to our ethical and political responsibilities to help tackle the climatic changes that are affecting our seas.

"Northern Ireland should have the ambition to make renewables our biggest industry, be a world class leader in carbon reduction, protect and positively develop our heritage. This should be the measure of what we should do - Climate Change is part of the driver."

(IT)