What’s under your boat?

Carpet Sea Squirt found at Cuxton on River Medway in Kent
Carpet Sea Squirt found at Cuxton

The Medway Swale Estuary Partnership have asked us to look out for invasive species.

The Carpet Sea Squirt has been identified at Cuxton. This is a highly invasive non-native marine animal, thought to be originally from Japan. By smothering native species, it not only poses threats to conservation but also to the fishing and shellfish industries.

Description
Whilst similar to some native species, the following characteristics are useful for identification:
• It has a uniform pale orange, cream or off-white colour.
• The surface has a firm leather y texture, with a veined marbled appearance .
• Its surface has numerous open small pores, which close up out of water to produce pale spots.
• It can grow either as thin flexible sheets or hang down in long rope-like growths.

Habitat
Shallow waters, such as harbours and marinas. Usually found growing on hard surfaces, including the underside of jetties and boulders.

The leaflet can be downloaded from http://msep.org.uk/downloads.php

Look out, it’s a berm!

Kentish Flats wind farm south cardinal buoy

Following pressure from the MYA, RYA and East Coast Pilot, London Array has had special buoyage installed by Trinity House to mark the rock “berms” which were dumped over the electricity cables on Kentish Flats leaving less than a metre depth at low tide. Following a further request from the MYA, the southernmost buoy was replaced with a large south cardinal (see photo) and a north cardinal buoy was also installed.

See lal-n-to-m-amendment-to-buoyage-at-kentish-flats-britned-and-gunfleet-sands-1

See also http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/Theimpactofrockbermsonnavigationalsafety.aspx

MYA to relaunch with a splash

Following a thorough review, in which it was found that many involved with boating on the tidal Medway and Swale did not feel the MYA was for them, the Association will be relaunched as the Medway and Swale Boating Association, subject to ratification at the AGM in December. All clubs involved with leisure boating (sailing, rowing, motor boats, kayaks, whatever) are invited to join us in promoting and protecting our leisure activities. We also welcome berth holders associations and businesses such as marinas who support leisure boaters. Thirdly we welcome the growing number of groups who restore and use classic vessels on the tidal Medway and Swale.