Endangered rays, sharks and native oysters could thrive in seas around the UK in the decades ahead amid changing conditions in the oceans – but other common species could become rare, according to a study.
Researchers looked at 19 threatened marine species in UK seas and the impact they could face from climate change.
The results suggested an “overall increase” in suitable habitat for the study’s selected species, although said any projected change for many was “relatively small”.
Some species will “move or shift” to new areas in response to rising ocean temperatures and this will have an impact on how they are managed and protected, the study added.
Many species are anticipated to lose habitat with climate change, researchers said.
Maintaining or increasing the numbers of vulnerable animals around the UK might require additional management methods.
Projecting habitat changes into the future has “a number of uncertainties” and species may find “favourable” new areas, but the conditions could then “move” to zones which are “not suitable” for species to survive.
The report, published in the Marine Biology journal, said although rays, sharks and oysters could become less threatened – there were risks for other species.
“Spurdog, thornback and undulate rays and native oyster showed the largest increases in suitable habitat this century, whereas decreases were seen in the slender sea pen, ocean quahog, sea fan and fan mussel,” said the report.
“The increases were concentrated in the central and northern North Sea and the decreases to the south and west of the UK, as well as in the southern North Sea.”
Some species may thrive in new areas not currently protected from human disturbance, scientists said.
But some currently protected sites “may no longer remain viable in protecting their designated features in the future”.
“Some of these changes may become apparent relatively quickly, with substantial changes in suitable habitat evident from the 2030s and 2040s,” researchers said.
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The government is currently consulting on measures for fishing in Marine Protected Areas, which are designated parts of the ocean set up to protect habitats, species and ecosystems.
Researchers at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science compiled the report in consultation with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Natural England, and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
