Community Drop in events for S Coast MCZs start this week

[oldharry]

I posted a couple of weeks ago that there will be a series of 'Drop In events informing us about MCZs in Studland and other key S coast areas. Please try to get to one and ask about how these are to be designated and administered. All the background is on the Borg website: http://boatownersresponse.org.uk/

We need to seek assurances that the science behind these recommendations will be based on factual and proven evidence, and not on guesswork and agenda lead supposition particularly in the eelgrass beds of Studland and the Solent where it is now substantially proved that anchoring and mooring is a very minor and largely irrelevant issue. See particularly BORGs eelgrass evidence overview: http://boatownersresponse.org.uk/Evidence-overview-Sept14.pdf

NE and SHT still want to limit or even exclude boats anchoring in these areas to prevent the 'damage' anchoring is claimed to cause. Many of the areas listed below are important anchorages in the Solent and Purbeck coasts

These events have not been widely publicised, and if no one attends, NE can justifiably claim the 'boating community' (whatever organisation that is!) is not interested.

Natural England says:
In the Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight (IoW) area there are 11 MCZ site options. From west to east, these sites are: Chesil Beach and Stennis Ledges, South of Portland, South Dorset, Purbeck Coast (incorporating the Regional Project recommended site Broadbench to Kimmeridge Bay), Studland Bay, Poole Rocks, Southbourne Rough, Albert Field, and three around the Isle of Wight; Yarmouth to Cowes, Norris to Ryde, and Bembridge.

In light of this, Natural England are holding locally focused drop-in events where recreational boaters can ask questions, raise concerns and receive information about the sites under consideration:

Thistle Hotel, Poole – 7 March 2017 16:00 – 19:00
Riverside Community Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight – 8 March 2017 16:00 – 19:00
Holiday Inn, Southampton (Herbert Walker Avenue) – 9 March 2017 16:00 – 19:00

Drop-in events for the wider community will also take place on the following dates:

Chesil Beach Visitor Centre, Portland – 21 March 2017 14:00 – 19:00
Riverside Community Centre, Newport, IoW – 22 March 2017 14:00 – 19:00
Studland Village Hall, Studland – 29 March 2017 13:30 - 18:30

 

[colhel]

The Thistle Hotel one is nearest me and I could probably get there for 5.30. I'm willing to support/accompany someone else but wouldn't feel confident on arguing the science on my own.

 

[Iminei]

The Thistle Hotel one is nearest me and I could probably get there for 5.30. I'm willing to support/accompany someone else but wouldn't feel confident on arguing the science on my own.

Ditto

 

[MarlynSpyke]

I don't think these sessions are intended for the boating community to put forward arguments (although anyone who feels strongly no doubt could). As Old Harry wrote, "Natural England are holding locally focused drop-in events where recreational boaters can ask questions, raise concerns and receive information about the sites under consideration".

If hardly anyone turns up, Natural England could argue "look, the boating community isn't bothered about MCZ's, so we can just go ahead with it all", although the real reason would be that NE hadn't bothered to inform the boating community about these meetings in the first place.

It's worth pointing out that this is not just about Studland Bay: the whole southern shore of the Solent, from Bembridge to Yarmouth, is also being considered for MCZ designation, and the features being put forward for "conservation" are not just eelgrass, but "subtidal sand" and "subtidal mud", i.e. the seabed itself! There is the potential for anchoring restrictions being introduced over wide areas.

Hopefully that will not be the case, but please will anyone who is concerned and can get to these meetings without having to travel too far, turn up and ask what would MCZ designation mean, what do you wish to "protect", and what would that mean for my boating recreational activities? And if anything seems unreasonable, say so. People's interests matter in this, and the legislation makes room for that. It's not just about wildlife. Then take whatever you have learned from the event away with you, and if appropriate, spread the word!

Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...oast-MCZs-start-this-week#uJBpCoQWZw825F2x.99

 

[colhel]

I shall be at the Thistle hotel tomorrow about 5.30. Perhaps I can just flatter hem with my good looks and charm

 

[Seajet]

I see they just happen to have dodged anywhere handy for the thousands of people like me who go to Chichester Harbour and then the Solent from the east !

I'll try to round up support for a full car to the Southampton job; as Old Harry says, if we don't go, it will be used as sleight of hand to inflict unnecessary political measures we and future sailors will bitterly regret.

 

[chrishscorp]

I am intending to get to the Southampton 'consultation', I am guessing their will be a head count of visitors and yes lack of attendance will be taken as lack of concern. I did go on to the Natural England website yesterday and surprise surprise I was not able to find anything obvious at all on the website about any of these consultations or dates.

There may be an opportunity to put in written comments, if that is the case then those of us that attend can advise links etc.

 

[colhel]

Apart from here then, where are the details?

 

[oldharry]

Apart from here then, where are the details?

Good question! Tucked away on the RYA website, and....?

 

[colhel]

Would "a lamb to the slaughter" be a way of describing what I've let myself in for? I'm guessing Studland will be high on the agenda with possibly many who I disagree with?

 

[RobbieW]

Good question! Tucked away on the RYA website, and....?

in a locked filing cabinet behind a door marked"Beware of the Leopard" in the basement of an abandoned government building in Lytham St Anne (thankyou Douglas Adams) along with all the other public access material!

 

[RobbieW]

Would "a lamb to the slaughter" be a way of describing what I've let myself in for? I'm guessing Studland will be high on the agenda with possibly many who I disagree with?

Perhaps and I'll find out on Thursday as I intend going to the Southampton event. I think sticking to the ideas above from MarlynSpyke should take the heat out of discussion....

Hopefully that will not be the case, but please will anyone who is concerned and can get to these meetings without having to travel too far, turn up and ask what would MCZ designation mean, what do you wish to "protect", and what would that mean for my boating recreational activities? And if anything seems unreasonable, say so. People's interests matter in this, and the legislation makes room for that. It's not just about wildlife. Then take whatever you have learned from the event away with you, and if appropriate, spread the word!

 

[oldharry]

I agree with Marlynspyke. I dont expect these to be anything like the discussion/debating shop events that Marlynspyke and I have attended where scientific 'facts' are being twisted around to mean almost anything. But as Marlynpsyke says, if something seems unreasonable, say so. I guess most of those running it will know the BORG take on things anyway, but its useful to have a little bit of background knowledge when you see something that seems unreasonable. You can always refer them to our website if you are not sure!

 

[Boathook]

I'm not to sure whether they want boaters to attend, especially those living near London or Birmingham who travel to the coast. If I could email my views ...........

 

[colhel]

A bit of feedback, a very relaxed informal atmosphere and certainly didn't feel like a lamb. I chatted with a couple of guys from NE for about 20 mins with the bulk of the time explaining my view that all boaters in general want to enjoy and protect the environment, but also how I got the impression that some environmentalists just don't like boats and is making decision making very difficult. I left my email address should they wish to contact me. I got there about 4.30 and there were about 20 people mingling and chatting and when i left about 5.30 there were a few more, possibly 30.
I felt it was worthwhile going and got a genuine impression that they took my views on board. Quite a pleasant hour actually

 

[MarlynSpyke]

A bit of feedback, a very relaxed informal atmosphere and certainly didn't feel like a lamb. I chatted with a couple of guys from NE for about 20 mins with the bulk of the time explaining my view that all boaters in general want to enjoy and protect the environment, but also how I got the impression that some environmentalists just don't like boats and is making decision making very difficult. I left my email address should they wish to contact me. I got there about 4.30 and there were about 20 people mingling and chatting and when i left about 5.30 there were a few more, possibly 30.
I felt it was worthwhile going and got a genuine impression that they took my views on board. Quite a pleasant hour actually

Thanks for the info, I'm intending to go to the Studland session, so it gives us some idea what to expect. I must say Natural England have always been courteous and professional to deal with, even when I've been disputing and challenging some of their claims and procedures. And some of those things have needed challenging! If the wider boating community can engage with them at these drop-in sessions on that sort of basis, that has got to be a good thing.

If anyone wants technical information, can I plug the BORG website as a source. http://boatownersresponse.org.uk/Evidence-overview-Sept14.pdf is a useful overview on eelgrass (it has been updated recently, despite the title). A broader general guide to our articles is at http://boatownersresponse.org.uk/technical-summaries/ The aerial photo stuff for Studland is at http://boatownersresponse.org.uk/aerial-images/ and, since Natural England have apparently not bothered to actually look at the state of the eelgrass at Studland (they seem to operate from behind their desks), I did an underwater video survey myself last summer from our inflatable tender using a small waterproof camera on a pole, see http://boatownersresponse.org.uk/underwater-videos/ Take a look at the videos, and see what all the fuss is about. The eelgrass looks great to me!

 

[{151760}]

I went to the Newport IoW event and had a similar experience to Colhel. I asked the MMO guys what would management of the MCZs consist of if they were created. They said that any management, if required, would be on a site-by-site basis. They seemed more concerned with things like pollution, dredging and scallop dredging than leisure boating. The whole of Newtown Creek comes under one proposed MCZ. I asked whether they or the National Trust were the authority. They seemed surprised at the question and didn't answer fully. I was fairly reassured that there is no plan for blanket banning of anchoring.

 

[chrishscorp]

I went to the Newport IoW event and had a similar experience to Colhel. I asked the MMO guys what would management of the MCZs consist of if they were created. They said that any management, if required, would be on a site-by-site basis. They seemed more concerned with things like pollution, dredging and scallop dredging than leisure boating. The whole of Newtown Creek comes under one proposed MCZ. I asked whether they or the National Trust were the authority. They seemed surprised at the question and didn't answer fully. I was fairly reassured that there is no plan for blanket banning of anchoring.

Thanks for the feedback, I will still attend the Soton one tonight and will reinforce the points you and others have made. Any idea on attendance numbers ?

 

[{151760}]

Thanks for the feedback, I will still attend the Soton one tonight and will reinforce the points you and others have made. Any idea on attendance numbers ?

There were about twenty there when I entered, which filled the rather small room. That was at 17:30. I neglected to ask how busy it had been. Several of the other attendees were boaty people. All the attendants were fully occupied, and there were several of them, so visitors were being very proactive. There were no heated discussions while I was there.

 

[RobbieW]

Just got back from the Southampton event, nice choccie cookies in a jar with tea/coffee outside

Lots of information with charts and colours with a key that shows seabed/species etc but little to tie it all together. I spoke to one of the NE staff, I'm guessing from the science side, and one of the MMO staff. I didnt get the impression that the work on seagrass done by BORG has been recognised, a report by Myers (sp?) was mentioned with an intention to republish part of it - cant find any reference to a seagrass report of that name so perhaps I misheard, and I sort of assumed it was the Collins work. The comment I got on Newtown was that there little interest in anchoring there as no seagrass.

I hope I got across the pleasure that many people get from being able to anchor in many of the areas under investigation. Whether that has an economic value seemed hard to determine.