“Overfishing of herring resulted in an estimated 97% biomass decline from the 1950s to the 1980s, according to one study, which found populations have since made a modest recovery. North Sea anglerfish and cod are among fish populations in a ‘deeply troubling state’, a 2023 report found, while demersal fish – species living close to the sea floor – have declined by 23% since 1993, according to the state of nature 2023 report. But in recent years, a bounceback in some wildlife has given conservationists reason for cautious optimism…

Bottlenose dolphins, along with humpback and minke whales, have been spotted in greater numbers in recent years along England’s North Sea coast, monitoring groups say. Their reasons for returning are not entirely clear. Grey seals – once in danger of disappearing around the UK – are flourishing. Visits to colonies on Norfolk beaches – where thousands of pups are born every year – have become a Christmas ritual for local people. Around the beach at Horsey, nearly 4,000 seal pups were born last year during a record-breaking season.”

From The Guardian.