THE North Sea will bear the brunt of the impact of climate change in the UK, a report has claimed.

A study by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) said an increase in sea surface temperature would be a major factor in further disrupting the breeding, feeding and growing cycles of fish and, in turn, sea birds.

That will be spurred by impacts on plankton, the major food source of many fish and the foundation of the marine environment.

The North Sea, where plankton is reported to have already changed dramatically, is likely to be the worst-affected by climate change. That will have an impact on cod stocks, in addition to the existing pressures from fishing, according to the report.

The report also found that storm surges - increases in sea level caused by atmospheric pressures and strong winds - will have destructive impacts on coastal areas as they become more frequent.

Andrew Lee, WWF director of campaigns, said: "Our seas are already under severe pressure from a number of activities, such as fishing, oil and gas exploration and coastal development. This report shows that climate change has the power to deepen this crisis and to turn our marine world upside down - disrupting and changing the entire ecosystem.

"This heightens the urgency for government action to both significantly reduce the UK's CO2 emissions and to bring forward a new Marine Bill, which will protect our marine wildlife and reform the way our seas are planned and managed to ensure they are economically productive and sustainable for future generations."

Emily Lewis-Brown, marine research officer, said: "Climate change will cause dramatic disruption to our seas over the coming years. Future planning of our marine environment must take into account the effects of climate change to help our seas adapt to the challenges that will come."