BASKING sharks moving northwards and large warm-water jellyfish appearing off Dorset's shores point to changes in local waters.

Warmer seas and pollution are affecting the fragile marine environment and pollution watchdog the Environment Agency is calling for better management.

A new report, The State of the Marine Environment, sets out the first marine strategy and the agency is supporting the government's commitment to introduce a Marine Bill.

Ali Tuckey of Durlston Marine Project, Swanage, said the large basking sharks seen cruising off the Dorset coast had been moving further north in recent years.

A recent survey of UK coastal waters found 172 out of 187 were seen in Scottish waters.

"We have had quite a few sightings of compass jellyfish, which are seen more in warm waters," he said.

These are large impressive jellyfish with a sting, although not as big as the notorious Portuguese man-of-war.

"We are certainly likely to see changes in the type of species we see in our waters in the long term," he said.

Sir John Harman, chairman of the Environment Agency said: "Our coasts and seas are under pressure. Fish stocks are decreasing. Sea levels are rising and flood risk is increasing. The climate is warming up and marine ecosystems are changing in response," he said.

Among the report's findings are that 80 per cent of global marine pollution comes from the land, over the last 40 years warmer seas have forced some marine plants and animals to move north towards Scandinavia and flooding of coastal areas could increase between four and 10 times.

"To meet these challenges we need to strike a much better balance between the different uses of our coasts and seas to protect the marine environment," said Sir John.

First published: November 11, 2005