Data collected by the Department of Local Government and the Environment (DOLGE), which maintains one of the longest continual records of seawater temperatures in the British Isles, has confirmed what many fishermen have suspected for some time: sea temperatures in Manx waters are rising.

This increase is not steady across the year: the dramatic changes to winter minimums may well be the explanation for the increasing numbers of ‘warm water’ species that are able to survive in winter and are now appearing in fishermen’s catches.

Red mullet, black bream, cuttlefish and spider crab are just four of the warmer water species that have been recorded in increasing numbers by the Department in recent years.

Work done on behalf of the Department by Bangor University scientists has linked the improvements in the scallop stock to increased productivity in the Irish Sea, which is a possible result of increased temperatures.

However, there may be many implications for marine fisheries, and the environment that supports them, of which we are as yet unaware.

Dr Bill Turrell, a leading UK scientist, is visiting the Isle of Man to talk about the research he is leading to investigating the impacts of climate change on Scottish fisheries that may apply similarly to the Isle of Man.

Dr Turrell, who was appointed as the Buckland Lecturer in 2008, has worked for the Scottish Government in the Torry Marine Laboratory for over 20 years.

His research has helped provide top level advice to the Scottish Government on many issues relating to marine policy.

Welcoming the visit by Dr Turrell, Phil Gawne, MHK, Minister for DAFF said 'Dr Turrell’s visit will provide a great opportunity for the Isle of Man to benefit from his expertise, and to exchange information.

'I am very pleased that as part of this visit he has agreed to provide a public lecture on his work, which will be of interest to a wide variety of people concerned about climate change and our marine environment.

'Fishermen have a particular interest in the changes that climate change may bring, and I look forward to hearing how they may be affected in future years.'

Dr Bill Turrell will be giving a presentation entitled, Climate Change and Scottish Fisheries on Thursday 16th July at 8pm in the Philip Christian Centre, Derby Road, Peel.

Admission is free and refreshments provided.