Sharks bask in Scotland's balmy waters

• Claims rise in sea temperatures increasing shark sightings in Scotland

• Global warming link to 65% increase in sightings disputed by shark monitors

• Environmentalists demand Executive make sharks a protected species

Key quote

"We already know that rising sea temperatures are affecting the distribution of plankton in UK waters, and may in fact be making Scottish seas more favourable for the sharks" - Jean-Luc Solandt, Marine Conservation Society policy officer

Story in full SCOTLAND is becoming a hotspot for migratory sharks because of rising ocean temperatures and climate change, according to a report published today.

Sightings of basking sharks have increased by 65 per cent in Scottish waters over the past four years, while those in the fish's traditional summer home off south-west England have dropped by 66 per cent.

The report, by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), prompted environmental campaigners to call for the Scottish Executive to increase protection of the species.

Basking sharks, which reach lengths of 11 metres and weigh up to seven tonnes, are harmless plankton feeders that can be spotted feeding on the ocean surface with their mouths agape.

They prefers warm waters, and traditionally are found in summer in Gulf Stream waters off Cornwall.

But rising sea temperatures are pushing plankton blooms further north, which explains the increase in summer shark sightings in Scotland, according to the report.

Jean-Luc Solandt, the MCS's policy officer, said "Results so far indicate that British basking sharks may be responding to climate change.

"We already know that rising sea temperatures are affecting the distribution of plankton in UK waters, and may in fact be making Scottish seas more favourable for the sharks."

Dr Solandt added that the migratory sharks have been spotted in northern waters earlier than normal this year - another indication of global warming.

A spokesman for Greenpeace called the report "timely" given the Executive's pledge this week to create Scotland's first marine national park and the forthcoming discussions at next month's G8 summit on climate change.

Willie MacKenzie, a spokesman for Greenpeace, said: "This study is clear and close to home. One of the key ways to protect habitat is large-scale marine reserves."

However, Monty Priede, a marine biologist at Aberdeen University who has monitored Scotland's shark populations, said natural population cycles, rather than global warming, were likely to be responsible for the increased sightings.

He said: "Fluctuations in populations have been happening on a 50- to 80-year cycle for centuries. We may simply be entering another phase of the cycle."

In the report, MCS scientists urged the Executive to regulate how accidental shark deaths are reported off Scotland's coasts.

"We need a code of conduct for general sea users and fishermen, mandated by the Executive and adopted by local agencies. All shark deaths through accidental catches, beachings, entanglements or collisions should be recorded so we can track the species," Dr Solandt said.

He added that local agencies should monitor black market fishing, as shark oil and fins are both lucrative clandestine products.

The report also claimed increasing shark populations could bring economic benefits to Scotland. Calum Duncan, MCS's Scottish officer, said: "With Scotland on track to become Europe's number one wildlife destination, these results will be of interest to wildlife-watching boat operators."

Eco-tourism is currently worth 57 million to Scotland a year and is expected to grow. Since 1997, wildlife tourism operators have increased by 37 per cent.

Jenny Matthew, a Mull-based tour operator, said passengers on her tours have noticed more sharks only because they spend more time looking for them.

She said: "Sharks have always been up here. I wonder whether this study is because there's more sharks, or just more people taking notice of them."

A spokeswoman for Ross Finnie, the environment minister, said there were no plans for regulations, but pointed out that the species is protected under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.