Hot water: why the marine heatwave on Ireland’s coasts signals danger

Last month saw a spike in temperature in Irish waters. An “unheard of” marine heatwave – defined as a period of persistent anomalously warm ocean temperatures, which can disrupt ecosystems – raised sea temperatures by four to five degrees.

The marine heatwave in our North Atlantic waters is classified as “extreme” by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - and man-made climate change is at least partially to blame.

Hotter seas have already brought previously unknown species to our shores - and driven away the fish that our fishing industry relies on. And that can only get worse if seas continue to heat.

On today’s In the News podcast, environmentalist and activist Saoirse McHugh explains why warming seas is a crisis that needs to be addressed urgently.

‘My life before the crime has gone forever’: Woman was ‘bundled’ into bushes and sexually assaulted while out walking

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Man arrested after three women injured in alleged hatchet attack in Louth

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Man jailed for ‘predatory’ attempted rape of woman in toilets in Dublin city bar

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‘It gets better’: Met Éireann says sunshine will return by mid-weekend onwards

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And Kevin Flannery, marine biologist and founder of the Dingle Oceanworld aquarium, talks about the new species now coming into Irish waters and the severe challenges ahead for our native marine species and for the coastal communities who rely on them.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.