Post by LSDeep on Aug 31, 2005 8:48:37 GMT -5
JAMES REYNOLDS
ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT
CLIMATE change will have devastating consequences for Scotland's seas, with west coast islands facing increased threats from storm surges and disruption to the food chain, a new report warns.
White-fish stocks including cod and haddock, which have already suffered drastic declines due to over-fishing, will diminish further because of increased sea temperatures and acidity, the environment group WWF says.
Dolphins, porpoises and salmon, all of which support multi-million pound recreational industries in the form of wildlife watching and fly fishing, may also face a dramatic drop in numbers due to the food chain disruption. Reduced food supply will affect their breeding, which will be compounded by rising chemical pollution.
The study, Climate change: Plunging our Seas into Deeper Crisis asserts that plankton, the foundation of the marine environment, have already changed dramatically.
A continuing rise in sea surface temperature will disrupt breeding, feeding and growing cycles of fish, and in turn seabirds.
Dr Richard Dixon, the director of WWF Scotland, said: "This report shows that major changes are coming, with the oceans becoming more acidic, plankton shifting and storm-driven floods more frequent."
A rise in frequency of storm surges could wreak havoc in coastal communities.
Mike Park, the vice-president of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said the organisation had noticed the effects of climate change but he was unconcerned at a further drop in white-fish stocks as new opportunities with other species were arising.
ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT
CLIMATE change will have devastating consequences for Scotland's seas, with west coast islands facing increased threats from storm surges and disruption to the food chain, a new report warns.
White-fish stocks including cod and haddock, which have already suffered drastic declines due to over-fishing, will diminish further because of increased sea temperatures and acidity, the environment group WWF says.
Dolphins, porpoises and salmon, all of which support multi-million pound recreational industries in the form of wildlife watching and fly fishing, may also face a dramatic drop in numbers due to the food chain disruption. Reduced food supply will affect their breeding, which will be compounded by rising chemical pollution.
The study, Climate change: Plunging our Seas into Deeper Crisis asserts that plankton, the foundation of the marine environment, have already changed dramatically.
A continuing rise in sea surface temperature will disrupt breeding, feeding and growing cycles of fish, and in turn seabirds.
Dr Richard Dixon, the director of WWF Scotland, said: "This report shows that major changes are coming, with the oceans becoming more acidic, plankton shifting and storm-driven floods more frequent."
A rise in frequency of storm surges could wreak havoc in coastal communities.
Mike Park, the vice-president of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said the organisation had noticed the effects of climate change but he was unconcerned at a further drop in white-fish stocks as new opportunities with other species were arising.