Fish living in waters around Great Britain are increasingly feeding on smaller prey, a trend scientists say is being driven by rising sea temperatures and sustained overfishing. Researchers from the University of Essex analysed decades of government data, examining the stomach contents of more than 50,000 marine predators collected over a 35-year period across the North Sea, the English Channel and the Norwegian Sea.
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Their findings indicate that, over time, predators in warmer waters have shifted towards consuming smaller food sources. Scientists believe this is due to higher temperatures reducing oxygen levels in the water while simultaneously increasing metabolic rates, limiting the growth of marine species. The study, published in Nature, also found that the trend is more pronounced in areas heavily affected by commercial fishing, where larger prey species are being removed from the ecosystem.
Experts warn that shrinking prey sizes could have significant consequences for marine life. Predatory fish rely on sufficient food intake to build energy reserves, and a reduction in available energy may weaken their ability to survive and reproduce.
While it may appear beneficial for smaller species, researchers stress that a balanced food chain is essential for the health of marine ecosystems. Disruptions at one level can have wider implications, including reduced fish stocks for commercial fishing and long-term impacts on food supply.
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The study’s authors argue that addressing these challenges will require a broader approach to fisheries management. Rather than focusing on individual species, they recommend policies that consider the entire marine food web, alongside the combined pressures of climate change and overfishing. Lead researcher Amy Shurety said that examining environmental pressures in isolation risks overlooking the full scale of change taking place beneath the surface.
