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Rising temperatures will kill coral reefs, scientists warn
Coral reef
Some six million people around the world fish from coral reefs and another 400 million indirectly rely upon them for their livelihoods.
Festival told ‘it’s not too late to limit future changes’

Scientists have warned that rising sea temperatures will damage and kill coral reefs unless greenhouse gas emissions are curbed.

Speaking ahead of the Edinburgh International Science Festival yesterday (3 April), Dr Fiona Murray of the University of Edinburgh said: “Warming climates are already damaging our oceans, but it is not too late to limit future changes and protect our valuable marine resources.”

Some six million people around the world fish from coral reefs and another 400 million indirectly rely upon them for their livelihoods. But greenhouse gas emissions are causing the seas to warm up and become more acidic.

Experts say that, if left unchecked, global warming is likely to affect seafood production. Excess heat causes increased coral bleaching in tropical seas, which can damage or kill coral. Shellfish stocks in Scotland may also be at risk, they add, unless steps are taken to limit global warming.

It is thought that by the year 2100 it will be necessary to treat affected UK waters to protect selfish production. Such practices have already been introduced along the coasts of Oregon and Washington, where in 2011 acidic conditions killed three-quarters of oyster larvae.

Rising levels of CO2 have already warned up the atmosphere and 90 per cent of this heat is taken up by the oceans. If greenhouse gas emissions were curbed, however, scientists expect this would limit further change and give ocean life a chance to adapt

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."