Today is the last day to object to Brett’s proposal to “ecologically enhance” Alpha Lake by filling it in, which would result in loss of the lake for sailing. Many kids from the Medway area learn to sail and windsurf on the lake but this activity is not mentioned on their proposal. Please register your objection.
Category: Environment
Marine mammal code of conduct
Huge sperm whale dies in Swale
A large sperm whale died after being stranded in the Swale yesterday between Seasalter and Shellness. The carcass is to be removed by Medway Ports.
Environment Agency consultation closes on 22 December
Mark Loos of the Medway Swale Estuary Partnership reminds us that the closing date for comments on the Environment Agency’s ‘Challenges and Choices’ consultation is Sunday 22nd December. Please submit your comments at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/33252.aspx
Six weeks on Darnet Island
Local canoeist, artist and photographer David Wise spent six weeks in 2012 camping (with the owner’s permission) on Darnet Island. His moving film “Otherness” is on his website and you can order his book, illustrated with atmospheric pinhole photographs at http://www.davewise.biz/new/summerontheestuary/page.html
Small-scale dredging etc now exempt from marine licensing
Recent changes to marine licensing in England mean currently licensable activities such as small-scale dredging and the laying of temporary marker buoys will soon be exempt.
Changes to marine licensing laws affecting clubs and centres in England
Non-native Plant & Marine Species Workshop, 8 March
The Medway Swale Estuary Partnership, together with the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership, will be holding a FREE non-native plant & marine species workshop on Friday 8th March, 9.30am – 12pm, at the Innovation Centre.
To book a space, please e-mail: andrea.griffiths@kent.gov.uk
Hoo Marina to merge with Port Werburgh
On 20th November, Hoo Marina was sold to Denis Swann, the owner of Port Werburgh, the residential marina. Hoo Marina will no longer accept visitors and its name will disappear.
What’s under your boat?
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