A study in the journal Science showed that the Nineties was the hottest decade in the last thousand years. Oceanographers have estimated that in six years the winter sea temperature around the Faroes has risen by 4 degrees centigrade. Red mullet, previously only found as far north as the English Channel, are now breeding off the west and east coasts of Scotland. Other warm-water species, such as anchovy and octopus, have been found in the Channel in the last year. This is a very sharp change.
Plankton absorbs huge amounts of carbon dioxide and supports almost all other forms of life.
The number of creatures on the bed of the North Sea, primarily starfish and worms, has thrived as a result of the increased plankton. But the changes may not benefit the fishing industry overall. The value of fishery might be reduced,' said Reid. The WWF will launch its Oceans Recovery Campaign this week demanding the Government give greater protection to fish stocks. However, the North Sea's life as a sub-tropical ocean may not last long.