The River Thames' first biological "health check" in 64 years has found sharks are living within the UK's most famous waterway.
The surprising discovery means it the river has a vital role to play in the survival of the Selachimorpha species.
The Zoological Society of London's 'Greater Thames Shark Project' found tope, starry smooth hound and spurdog sharks among the 100-plus species inhabiting the ancient river.
Marine biologists believe sharks gravitate to the Greater Thames Estuary to birth and rear their young.
To date, few details have been gleaned on the numbers of sharks in the Thames but future versions of the State of the Thames Report will seek to shed light on this, as well behavioural characteristics such as how long the sharks stay there and whether their pups return in later life.
Although the big fish found in the Thames are more Shark Tale than the leviathans depicted in Hollywood horrors such as Jaws, the knowledge that they are in the water might add a frisson of jeopardy to those fond of having a dip in the Jurassic-era river.
In 2011, Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams swam a 140-mile stretch of the River Thames in eight days. Had the aqua-loving comedian known at the time that a shiver of sharks lay beneath, one might assume he would have swum with even more urgency.
Future of fish in the Thames looks bleak
High levels of pollution in parts of the Thames led scientists in 1957 to declare stretches of it “biologically dead” but there has been a marked improvement since, the report said.
Water quality has “exhibited some promising improvements”, with reduced phosphorus concentrations – a change attributed to improved sewage treatment works to reduce harmful levels of nutrients entering the water.
But there has been a long-term increase in nitrate concentrations and the report said “the influences of climate change are clearly impacting the tidal Thames, as both water temperature and sea levels continue to rise above historic baselines”.
On average, summer temperatures in the upper tidal Thames have been increasing by 0.19°C per year and those behind the report said this would “undoubtedly affect the estuary’s wildlife, leading to changes in life-history patterns and species ranges”.
When it comes to wildlife including seals, there have been “improving short-term trends identified for natural habitats, birds and marine mammals”, although the number of fish species showed “a slight decline”, with more research needed to determine the cause, the report said.
Between 2016 and 2020, 17,770 single-use plastic bottles were counted and removed at sites along the tidal Thames, almost half of which were water bottles, the report said.
Some plastics found in the river, including cotton buds and wet wipes, came from sewage overflowing into the estuary, the report said, which not only threatens the ecosystem but “also has a detrimental impact on the perception of the Thames as being ‘dirty'”.
The presence of a juvenile short-snouted seahorse, found in 2017 at Greenwich, “indicates that the tidal Thames is a recovering estuarine ecosystem”, the report said.
Evidence has also been gathered on the importance of the river “as a breeding ground and nursery habitat for fish”, including smelt and European sea bass.
Alison Debney, conservation programme lead for wetland ecosystem recovery at the Zoological Society London, said the report has enabled the team to examine how far the Thames has come on its journey to recovery since it was declared biologically dead.
“The Thames estuary and its associated ‘blue carbon’ habitats are critically important in our fight to mitigate climate change and build a strong and resilient future for nature and people," she said.
“This report has enabled us to really look at how far the Thames has come on its journey to recovery since it was declared biologically dead and in some cases set baselines to build from in the future.”
James Brand, from the Environment Agency, said the organisation was “committed to reaching net-zero by 2030 and improving water quality in our rivers”.
“The Thames Estuary 2100 Plan advocates adapting to rising sea levels by thinking holistically about our riversides, incorporating new wildlife habitat and other environmental improvements as we work in partnership to upgrade flood defences,” he said.
While pollution levels in the Thames have shown signs of improvement, this does not appear to have translated into more fish with the number in tidal areas declining since the 1990s.
Scientists propound global warming, plastics and higher levels of nitrate as likely causes, and, with the report launched as Cop26 rumbles on Glasgow, they exhort the need to act now.
Animals in unusual places - in pictures
TV (UAE time);
OSN Sports: from 10am
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Ibrahim's play list
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
