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Conservationists voice concern over Sea Life deaths
The MCS has collaborated with Sea Life on various conservation projects.

Marine Conservation Society reviewing partnership with aquarium

Conservationists have voiced concern after a BBC investigation found that a total of 4,500 marine animals died at eight Sea Life centres in England in a single year (2015-2016).

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said that the findings are a 'cause for concern’ and that ‘discrepancies between individual centres need to be explained’.

According to the BBC, the deaths occurred at centres In Birmingham, Blackpool, Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, London, Manchester, Scarborough and Weymouth. In Great Yarmouth, there were 812 deaths out of a total of 2,293, equating to around one in every three animals.

MCS Ocean Ambassador Dr Ben Garrod told the BBC: “You wouldn’t go into hospital and expect a one-in-three chance of dying. You wouldn’t expect that in a zoo. I don’t think it is acceptable.”

Sea Life owner Merlin Entertainments told the BBC that different aquariums couldn’t be compared “like for like” because of the diverse range of animals. It explained that some of the losses at its Great Yarmouth Centre were the result of a “technically complex” water issue.

“The response we’ve seen from Sealife reassures us to some degree. In particular, the incidents of high mortality appear to be the result of unforeseen problems which the chain has taken steps to rectify,” said MCS head of programmes Dr Chris Tuckett.

“There are still questions over the keeping of some animals including endangered species and we would like to see a more robust set of record-keeping maintained by public aquariums to demonstrate that they give the specimens in their tanks care and attention as a matter of routine”.

The MCS has collaborated with Sea Life on various conservation projects and accepted sponsorship to produce its Good Fish Guide. In light of the recent findings, Dr Tuckett said that the MCS will be reviewing its partnership with the aquarium if future collaboration is to be pursued.

Image (C) Roy Kilcullen Photography/Gp258/Wikimedia Commons

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.