{"id":24413,"date":"2023-03-03T10:38:43","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T09:38:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=138253"},"modified":"2023-03-03T11:35:20","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T10:35:20","slug":"fish-fireworks-and-psychedelic-crabs-uks-hidden-sea-creatures-revealed-in-14-stunning-photos","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/fish-fireworks-and-psychedelic-crabs-uks-hidden-sea-creatures-revealed-in-14-stunning-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Fish fireworks and psychedelic crabs: UK\u2019s hidden sea creatures, revealed in 14 stunning photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Marine Conservation Society has shared a selection of some of the stunning sea creatures you can spot in UK waters. <\/p>

By James Cutmore\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 03 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The <\/span>Marine Conservation Society<\/a>\u00a0has<\/span>\u00a0released a selection of incredible ocean photography to mark <\/span>World Wildlife Day<\/span><\/a> on 3 <\/span>March 2023. The collection celebrates the best of marine life in the waters around the United Kingdom.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seasoned underwater photographers have captured amazing scenes of UK wildlife to inspire others to get involved in conservation. While the images below show the colourful and curious world under the surface of the UK\u2019s seas, these fragile ecosystems are in urgent need of protection and restoration.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For divers and snorkellers, the Marine Conservation Society\u2019s Seasearch programme is a great way of giving back and exploring the UK\u2019s waters. Seasearch<\/a> volunteers conduct underwater surveys, providing an insight into the state of the UK\u2019s seas.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Marine Conservation Society campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries, and protection of marine life. Through education, community involvement and collaboration, the charity raises awareness of the many threats that face our seas and promotes individual, industry and government action to protect the marine environment.<\/p>\n

Edible crab, Berwickshire Marine Reserve<\/b><\/h2>\n
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An edible crab (Cancer pagurus<\/em>) photographed at St Abbs, in the\u00a0Berwickshire Marine Reserve, United Kingdom. Photo by Georgie Bull\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Bobtail squid, Loch Long<\/h2>\n
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A close up image of the eye of a tiny bobtail squid (Sepiolida<\/em>), photographed at Loch Long, United Kingdom. These squid are very small; usually no bigger than a golf ball. Photo by Mark Kirkland\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Firework anemone, Inveraray<\/h2>\n
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Firework anemone (Pachycerianthus multiplicatus<\/em>) photographed at Inveraray, Loch Fyne, United Kingdom. Photo by Dan Bolt\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Compass jellyfish, Cornwall<\/h2>\n
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Compass jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella<\/em>) photographed at Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Photo by Martin Stevens\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Wolf fish, Berwickshire Marine Reserve<\/h2>\n
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A pair of wolf fish (Anarhichas lupus<\/em>) peer out of a gap between the rocks at Berwickshire Marine Reserve, United Kingdom. This image is unusual in that wolf fish tend to live alone. Photo by Kirsty Andrews\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Common sunstar, Shetland Islands<\/h2>\n
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A common sunstar (Crossaster papposus<\/em>) photographed in a kelp forest at Levenwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom. Photo by Billy Arthur\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

John Dory, Dorset<\/h2>\n
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A John Dory fish (Zeus faber<\/em>) photographed in Dorset, United Kingdom. The eye spot on the side of this species helps to confuse its prey. Photo by Georgie Bull\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Variable blenny, Devon<\/h2>\n
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A variable blenny (Petroscirtes variabilis<\/i>) is a relative newcomer to UK waters, having previously only migrated from the Mediterranean Sea during the summer months. This individual was photographed at Babbacombe, Devon, United Kingdom. Photo by Dan Bolt\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Painted top shell, Shetland Islands<\/h2>\n
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This mollusc appears to be feeding a sea-mat; a type of kelp-encrusting bryozoan. Just visible is an eye poking out of the mollusc\u2019s shell. Photographed in the waters around the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom.\u00a0Photo by Billy Arthur\/Marine Conservation Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

More images from BBC Science Focus<\/em>:<\/strong><\/p>\n