Rare Deep-Sea Fish Spotted Off Cornwall Coast, Sparking Climate Change Concerns

On November 11, 2025, a rare deep-sea fish has been spotted off the southwestern coast of England for the first time in two decades, sparking concerns about the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. The sighting of a wreckfish, a prehistoric species usually found in deep waters, near the village of Lamorna in Cornwall has raised questions about shifting patterns in the region's rich marine life.

Diver Charles Hood, who has filmed sharks in Cornish waters for over 20 years, came face-to-face with the massive 7-foot-long wreckfish while swimming with blue sharks. According to Hood, deep-sea anglers sometimes catch these rare fish well offshore, but seeing one near the surface is highly unusual.

Cornwall has been a hotspot for unusual animal sightings this year, including locusts, praying mantises, and odd-looking sea slugs. Earlier in 2025, a local angler also caught an ocean sunfish, the world's largest bony fish, near the historic fishing port of Padstow.

Marine scientists believe these rare appearances may be a result of changing water conditions due to climate change, which could be pushing deep-sea species closer to shore. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust noted that wreckfish typically avoid shallow waters, making sightings like Hood's a cause for concern.

Shifts in species distribution can disrupt local fisheries, affect tourism, and signal broader imbalances in marine ecosystems. Conservationists stress the importance of careful observation and management to protect rare marine species and maintain the balance of coastal ecosystems on which local economies and food systems depend.