Basking sharks off the coast of Scotland   - Thursday, September 15, 2005

There has been a large increase in the number of basking sharks spotted off the coast of Scotland this year.  Climate change is a major factor as warmer seas to the south have meant plankton blooms are found further north than previously. 

Whilst it seems a good year for the second largest fish in the sea other animals such as cetaceans and sea birds are having a torrid time due to devsestating low levels of sand eel, the basis for much of the regions food chain.