The River Thames Is No Longer Considered Biologically Dead As Seals And Seahorses Abound

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The River Thames is one of the most popular bodies of water that flows through the southern part of England, London included, where people can see the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Big Ben. And while it was considered biologically dead for many years has finally been described as “healthy” after a 60-year pause on any such report.

Supposedly, at least 115 species of fish actually live in the river waters, which provides food to the three species of shark that also reside in the waters, alongside eels and seahorses.

In the “State of the Thames” 2021 report, it talks about how there has been a ‘reduction of pressure on life in the river over the last 60 years’ which was once filled with major sewage and pollution. Recently, the ‘short and long-term phosphorus concentrations have fallen, while dissolved oxygen has increased.’

Zoological Society London (ZSL) program lead for wetland recovery, Alison Debney, shared, “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.”


Since 2003, ZSL has been busy trying to revive the River Thames as a tidal and estuarine ecosystem. Since then, the best way to see its progress is to look at how the river’s estuary is doing, particularly the populations of the river system’s top predators like the sharks, as well as the grey and harbor seals.

These furry seals are considered highly fish-seeking mammals, which have indeed increased in population. This indicates that there is definitely growth in the amount of fish in the river regardless of the seals having to compete with the tope, starry smooth hound, and spurdog sharks that live in the water.

There has been population counts for both species of seal on the Thames Estuary every year since 2013, with an exception of 2020. What they’ve found is that the numbers of harbor seals actually increased from 797 to 932, and 2,866 grey seals to 3,243.

Conservation biologist, Thea Cox, told BBC, “As top predators, (seals) are a great indicator of ecological health, so they tell us how the Thames is doing. People think the Thames is dead because it is brown, but the Thames is full of life – the water quality has improved so much.”


And while the swimming creatures have definitely been growing and thriving, they aren’t the only ones. The birds have been flourishing as well.

A number of areas surrounding the Thames are considered protected sanctuaries of both native and migratory birds. Due to this, the number of wading birds, such as the avocet, have actually doubled between the years 1993 to 2017.

In addition to this very positive news, the river has a great future ahead with new reports sharing details about how a new “super sewer” will divert 95% of all the sewage away from the long river, although there are still some portions of life within the waterway that are still worsening.

According to Head of Consents at Tideway, Liz Wood-Griffiths, she said, “The new sewer, which is due to be complete in 2015, is designed to capture more than 95 per cent of the sewage spills that enter the River from London’s Victorian sewer system. It will have a significant impact on the water quality, making it a much healthier environment for wildlife to survive and flourish.”

 ZSL’s Debney said, “A resilient future for both people and wildlife will depend on protecting remaining natural habitats, reconnecting and restoring habitats, and innovating new ways to maximize opportunities for wildlife in the urban environment.”

 

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