UK Jaws fears as rising temperatures could see sharks stalking British waters
dailystar.co.ukJaws could be soon be stalking UK waters – as climate change sends great white sharks our way.British waters are too chilly for the apex predators but as currents and temperatures change, it may force them to change where they live and hunt.Marine biologist Ryan Johnson says: “I know many shark nuts in the UK are desperately waiting for that day a white shark is detected.READ MORE: Government issues unprecedented weather warning as 40C forecast for first time ever“It is really close to their range.
The Mediterranean Sea has been a great white hotspot so it would only take a small change in the distribution and water conditions for them to extend that range up.“On the east coast of America, the great whites have been extending up further and further north, so maybe something like that can happen in the UK as well.”Ryan is one of the experts appearing on National Geographic’s SharkFest season from Sunday (July 17).
One series of programmes examines why there’s been a worldwide increase in shark attacks. But for Ryan the answer is simple – it’s all down to humans.“If you look at the science, the rise really closely correlates with the rise in human population,” he says. “And there’s also some link, particularly in the developed world, to more recreational time for people to spend in the water.
You find that also highly correlates with the increase in shark attacks.”Ryan’s work with Kenyan shark scientist Gibbs Kuguru is documented on the show Camo Sharks.And it’s revealed the two made an incredible discovery – great whites may have the ability to change colour.The pair conducted experiments using a board that monitored the beasts’ hue at different times of day.
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