Warming seas drive major changes in Southwest UK marine wildlife, report reveals - Marine Biological Association

Marine heatwaves, expanding warm-water species and changing marine habitats highlight a rapidly evolving marine ecosystem.

Partners in the world of marine research and observation, including the Marine Biological Association (MBA), have highlighted major ecological changes occurring across the region’s waters in the latest State of South-West Seas 2025 report.

The report, which brings together observations and evidence on marine species, habitats and environmental conditions across Southwest England and the wider Celtic Sea region, documents a range of significant shifts in marine species and habitats linked to sustained warming of sea temperatures, changing environmental conditions and broader ecosystem change. It provides one of the most comprehensive annual assessments of marine environmental conditions in the Southwest and draws on observations from researchers, conservation organisations, citizen scientists and marine industries.

Chapters were authored by experts from organisations including the Wildlife Trusts (Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Alderney), Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of Plymouth, Exeter University, the Seal Research Trust, Natural England, the Marine Management Organisation, and the Cornwall Seal Group, as well as individual contributors.