Written question asked by Alex Mayer (Labour) on Monday, 13 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Thursday, 16 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Marine Environment: Temperature

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the recent heatwave in UK waters on marine species and habitats.

Answer: Defra is working with its agencies, the Met Office and the research community to understand the potential impacts of marine heatwaves on marine species and habitats. This includes funding the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership and collecting reports of impacts to fisheries and marine biodiversity that may be linked to the recent heatwaves. The Department will use the 4th National Adaptation Plan to set out how the government will continue to manage the impacts of climate change in our seas, including marine heatwaves.

Secondary information