"This is the first attempt that's brought together many different datasets," said project leader Steve Simpson from Bristol University. "People have been reluctant to piece together data from lots of different surveys because there are some tough challenges there. "But we spent about a year doing it, and it really gives us the first comprehensive look at [the effects of climate change on] fish in European shelf waters." The relatively shallow waters of the European continental shelf include those around the UK and Ireland, spanning the North Sea, English Channel and Irish Sea.