Latest figures from DEFRA in the UK give further reinforcement to the arguments that climate change is a reality, Jonathan Shaw the Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs has stated that
2006 was the second warmest year for UK coastal waters since records began in 1870; with seven of the 10 warmest years in the last decade.
and that warmer winters have been strongly linked to reduced breeding success and survival in some seabird populations.
As a warning predictive models suggest fewer storms in future, but there will be increased numbers of severe storms,
coastal erosion and flooding is expected to increase.
All this will impact on the commercial services provided by our seas. Sea-level rise, coastal flooding, storms and bigger waves will affect ports, shipping and built structures. Fishing and fish farming will be affected by temperature change and plankton (prey) availability.