News and views from the world of marine heritage and conservation
Jelly tide hits UK
Pressures persist on MCZs
Belfast welcomes back oysters
ENVIRONMENT
Protect Our Seas
News and views from the world of marine heritage and conservation
Jelly tide hits UK
The number of jellyfish spotted in UK waters and on beaches increased by 32 % in the past year , according to a survey by the Marine Conservation Society . The most commonly spotted were the huge barrel jellyfish – but rarer warm-water crystal jellyfish were also seen . Jellyfish populations vary naturally over time - but climate change warming the UK seas is creating favourable conditions . A marine heatwave in June 2023 increased UK water temperatures by 3-4 ° C on average .
Pressures persist on MCZs
Areas of sea around the UK are still enduring thousands of hours of the most damaging kinds of fishing each year , conservationists say . There are 91 Marine Conservation Zones ( MCZs ) around Britain , designated for nationally important , rare or threatened habitats and species . But data obtained by Global Fishing Watch shows that since January 2022 , there has been over 90,000 hours of fishing in these waters , including 2,700 hours of dredging , which can kill long-lived seabed habitats . Henri Brocklebank , from Sussex Wildlife Trust , says many species urgently need the safe haven that MCZs provide . “ We ’ re in a situation where we ’ ve lost 99 % of our angel sharks in the UK , 95 % of basking sharks , 85 % seagrass . Here in Sussex , we ’ ve lost 96 % of our kelp . We need to actually start turning this around before it ’ s too late .”
Crystal jelly , Aequorea vitrina
Belfast welcomes back oysters
An oyster nursery has been installed in Belfast Harbour in a bid to improve water quality and boost marine life . The nursery is thought to be the first of its kind to be introduced to a commercial shipping channel in Northern Ireland . It will be home to around 600 native oysters , which prior to installation were cleaned , measured and screened for disease by a group of volunteers .
For over a century it was thought that native oysters in Northern Ireland were extinct , but a number of oyster restoration initiatives have been launched by Ulster Wildlife in recent years . It is hoped the new oyster population will have a positive impact on marine biodiversity in the area , as well as the revival of the native species .
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