Rainbow sea slug find in Cornwall a reminder of climate change

The discovery of a rainbow sea slug at a beach in Cornwall is an "important reminder" of climate change's impact, conservationists have said.

The Rock Pool Project, a community marine conservation organisation, said the slug, also known as babakina anadoni, was found during an event it held at Porthpean Beach in August.

It said it was the first time a rainbow sea slug, which have previously been found in other parts of Cornwall and the South West , had been spotted at Porthpean.

Dr Ben Holt, chief executive officer at The Rock Pool Project, said while the discovery was exciting, it also showed how much the UK's shores were changing as climate change warms waters.

The Rock Pool Project said rainbow sea slugs were usually found in warm Atlantic waters off the coast of Spain, Portugal and France, but they have been appearing on UK shores in increasing numbers in recent years.

"Whilst this is an exciting find, it's also an important reminder of how much our shores are changing," said Holt.

"We must continue to track these changes to understand the effects of climate change on UK marine life."

Luke Galpin, who found the rainbow sea slug during the Rock Pool Project event, said it was a surprise to uncover it.

"I hadn't seen many sea slugs at all over the summer, so I wasn't expecting to find one," he said.

"But its unmistakable colour popped out at me the moment I flipped the rock over.

"It was tiny, about the size of my thumbnail, and in my excitement, I shouted for everyone else to come and have a look."

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