Warming seas linked to bluefin tuna surge in UK waters

By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent

2 January 2019

Growing numbers of bluefin tuna are being seen in the waters around the UK because of the warming impact of a long term ocean current say researchers.

These large, speedy fish are a globally endangered species and almost disappeared from the UK around 40 years ago.

Scientists say that their recent rise is connected to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO).

Now in a warm phase, the current makes UK waters more hospitable for the fish.

Bluefin tuna are one of the largest and fastest fish on the planet - they can weigh up to 900kg and can travel at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour (43mph).

In the 1930s, the species was a common sight in the seas off Scarborough and was highly prized by big-game fishers.

However, from the 1940s, the species began to decline and by the early 1990s had all but disappeared.

But over the past five years or so, sightings of the warm blooded fish have increased off the UK once again with many of these encounters captured on social media.

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