UK marine heatwave research priorities outlined in new national roadmap

Scientists from the University have contributed to new research calling for a coordinated response to a growing environmental threat

UK marine heatwave research priorities outlined in new national roadmap

Scientists from the University have contributed to new research calling for a coordinated response to a growing environmental threat

Mr Alan Williams

Media and Communications Manager

Corporate Communications (Marketing and Communications)

8 January 2026

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are periods of unusually warm sea temperatures, recognised as one of the fastest emerging climate-related drivers of change in the ocean.

In response to that, a team of UK scientists ��ñ��ޓ led by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and including researchers from the ��ñ�� ñ��ޓ has identified the key questions that urgently need answering to develop a coordinated national response to this growing environmental threat.

They say the 40 priority questions must be addressed to improve our understanding of marine heatwaves, the impacts they might have in UK waters, and to help the nation prepare for future events. This marks the first coordinated national strategy to address the accelerating threat of MHWs to ecosystems, the blue economy and coastal communities.

Marine heatwaves can affect everything from plankton and fish stocks to coastal tourism, food security and mental health. The unprecedented marine heatwave surrounding the UK and Ireland in the summer of 2023 exposed critical gaps in our understanding of how these events unfold in UK waters and what they mean for society.

Using diverse interdisciplinary expertise, spanning ecology, climate science, economics, governance, human health and technology, the team��ñ��ޙs questions provide a definitive roadmap for researchers, policy makers, and funding bodies. This offers evidence-based direction for future investment and long-term climate resilience planning.

While the majority of impacts reported globally have been negative, the authors note that short-term opportunities may emerge in UK waters. For example, through shifts in species distribution that benefit specific fisheries or tourism sectors. Understanding which species or industries are likely to experience risk or opportunity is essential for developing realistic adaptation measures.

Marine heatwaves are emerging as a serious and growing risk to the UK��ñ��ޙs marine natural capital, with consequences that extend far beyond ecology.

By altering habitats and species that underpin ecosystem services, these events threaten commercial fisheries, coastal livelihoods and the wider blue economy, while also affecting cultural and heritage values tied to the sea. As marine heatwaves become more frequent and intense, improving our understanding of their impacts ��ñ��ޓ and managing them proactively ��ñ��ޓ will be essential to safeguard ecosystem health, economic resilience and community wellbeing.

Professor Sian Rees
Associate Head of School - Research

A call for a UK-wide monitoring and forecasting strategy

One of the central recommendations of the study is to develop a national monitoring system capable of detecting emerging heatwaves, tracking their ecological effects and comparing conditions against historical baselines. Continuous, long-term data collection will be vital to identifying vulnerable regions, assessing ecosystem responses and supporting emergency management.

Expanding citizen science programmes, as well as using social media to gather observations and improve public ocean literacy, could significantly strengthen this system.

The study also emphasises the need for increased investment in innovative marine technologies, such as rapidly deployable autonomous sensors, and improved UK-based forecasting tools. Integrating real-time data with long-term climate projections will help identify future hotspots and climate refuges, guiding evidence-based decisions in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture and marine spatial planning.

The authors highlight several policy recommendations to support national preparedness, including:

incorporating MHW risks in the UK��ñ��ޙs next Climate Change Risk Assessment
integrating MHW impacts into marine, fisheries, aquaculture and conservation policy frameworks
implementing coordinated evidence collection across government sectors during MHW events
focusing on vulnerable regions and blue economy sectors
building a collaborative national network to guide response and adaptation.

These mechanisms are described as essential for ensuring that scientific evidence is translated into meaningful, timely action.

Marine heatwaves represent one of the most urgent and least understood climate threats facing UK seas. By working across disciplines and sectors, we��ñ��ޙve identified the key questions we must answer to protect marine ecosystems, safeguard coastal communities and strengthen our blue economy. This roadmap gives researchers, funders and policymakers a clear direction of travel and highlights the need for coordinated national action. Preparing for marine heatwaves is no longer optional, it is essential for ensuring a resilient ocean future.

Dr Zoe Jacobs (lead author)
National Oceanography Centre

The full study ��ñ��ޓ Jacobs et al: 40 priority questions to advance understanding of the risks and opportunities of UK marine heatwaves ��ñ��ޓ is published in npj Ocean Sustainability, DOI: .