He's at it again - Steve Trewhella- Seahorses

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Google 'Eel Grass' for facts

Vince and Scotty

Suggest you Google Eel Grass for the "facts". Tearing up roots does NOT stimulate growth. Eel grass is a flowering plant and propogates by both seed and vegatative growth. When an anchor pulls out the roots it leaves bare sand which may or may not be filled by new plants. Eeel grass is a very complex plant and it is affected by all sorts of environmental factors. So that argument is both wrong and counterproductive.

ta.

 

[maxi77]

I had a quick ferret through the Charity Commission.

The Seahorse Trust's objectives are (apols for the capitals)
1. TO PROMOTE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC THE PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES OF MARINE AND TERRESTRIAL FLORA AND FAUNA AND IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY, SEAHORSES AND RELATED SPECIES.
2. TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC GENERALLY ABOUT WILD FLORA AND FAUNA.
3. TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND ENQUIRY INTO ENDANGERED SPECIES OF MARINE AND TERRESTRIAL FLORA AND FAUNA AND, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY SEAHORSES AND RELATED SPECIES, AND TO PUBLISH THE RESULTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.


The trustees include

MR STEWART MUIR - there is a Stewart Muir apparently involved in other wildlife charities and zoos. A shy and retiring person who has lost his contact details from the site of another Trust which he runs from his home address, breeding capuchins and lemurs.


MRS JENNY PATON
There is a Jenny Paton in Poole involved in a RIPA case about cheating the school catchment system last year. She admits that she and her partner have two homes, and played the system by moving from one address to another. Shurely a trustee of a reputable charity would not stoop so low, so it cannot be the same person.

The trust manages its accounts very well, having an income of £55474 and an expenditure of £40397 for the last three financial years.


It seems to me that if the Trust is failing to fulfil its charitable objectives (i.e. if seahorses are not endangered species) and they are not publishing the results of their research and enquiry for the benefit of the general public, then they are in breach of the Charities Act 2006, et seq

If you go into any pet shop with a reasonably large marine section, you can see and buy seahorses. It may be that the good burgesses of Swanage, Wareham and Poole have from time to time outgrown their hippocampus pets, and have released them into the sea. We could even be seeing the spread of a species alien to Britain, even endangering the proud lineage of our native seahorses dating back to the noble time of King Alfred of Wessex. Perhaps another charity, the British National Party for the Preservation of British Seahorses should be set up to conserve the rightful inheritors of our island kingdom.

(/rant over)

I also noted that MR NEIL GARRICK-MAIDMENT who the Charities Commision note as the contact is also soliciting for donations for the British Seahorse Survey, which does not appear to be a charity on the CHarity Commision website.

 

[Robin]

One man and a groupie

Look here at this advertisement (May 2009) for a Seahorse Tagging Officer. As always only the one name appears. Note especially the bit that says 'This job is also being advertised internally'. Note also that the Tagging Officer will be required to have other 'skills' involving public education and the media. Any prizes for guessing who might have been applying 'internally' for this post?

Link to this ad below is here
http://http://zoowork.blogspot.com/2009/05/seahorse-trust-seahorse-tagging-officer.html

I have a deep suspicion of this mob. I don't doubt the individuals sincerity and certainly not their single mindedness, but I don't see how such a basically one man band should be given charitable status, not to mention lottery funding, and be able apparently to promote their ideals without much greater scrutiny than I can see has taken place.





Friday, May 8, 2009
The Seahorse Trust. Seahorse Tagging Officer.
The Seahorse Trust. Seahorse Tagging Officer.


Since 1994 we have been running the British Seahorse Survey and this has given us great insights into Seahorses around the British Isles, which led in 2008 to us getting them fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act

Seahorses are unique creatures with an enigmatic almost secretive lifestyle which gives problems in trying to understand about their ecology in the field and it is unusual to find a site with large numbers of Seahorse resident in it.

We have been working on such a unique site in Dorset, England for a couple of years now which has given us a background to the site and we are just about to start a tagging project to allow us to understand more about the site and the individual Seahorses and others species on and around it.

We are just about to be granted some funds to support our Seahorse Tagging project at Studland in Dorset. The project is innovative and being done under Natural England License and we require a Tagging Officer for a years contract [this may be extended subject to the officer fund raising for the position]

The Seahorse Tagging Project Officer will be self motivated and unsupervised and will individually tag. GPS mark, photograph and do the morphometric measurements for the Seahorses on the site. This data will be collated by the officer to give a greater understanding of this site and will be fed into the British Seahorse Survey and periodic reports on the Seahorses and the site.

The Officer will also be expected to train and work with dive volunteers that will assist in the tagging project.

A major part of the work of the Officer is in working with the local community and visitors to the area and so will be expected to take part in public talks and community days. They will also be expected to work directly with other organisations to push the project forward and attend and do a presentation to the trustees of the trust periodically.

Skills needed.

Essential:

Seahorse experience of behaviour and ecology in captivity and in the field

Fund raising experience

Working with volunteers and knowledge of the volunteer sector

Be able to do public speaking to small and large groups.

Car license, own vehicle.

Minimum Dive Master or equivalent.

Experienced in underwater surveying.

Must be able to write in depth reports and media articles

Computer literate.

Must be self motivated.

Desirable requirements
Knowledge of national standards for the voluntary sector

Knowledge of committee structures /systems

Knowledge of local voluntary networks.

Ability to build strong links with voluntary organisations.

Please note this position is also being advertised internally.

For full job details please contact:

Neil Garrick-Maidment
Executive Director.
The Seahorse Trust.
neil.seahorses@tesco.net

For background information on The Seahorse Trust and the British Seahorse Survey please visit our websites.

www.theseahorsetrust.co.ukwww.britishseahorsesurvey.org

Closing date: Friday 22nd May 2009

 

[sarabande]

It's all a bit circuitous, isn't it ?

"The British Seahorse Survey is run by The Seahorse Trust. It is partly funded by and in partnership with English Nature, PADI Project Aware, Marine Conservation Society, Care For the Wild International, Ocean Pulse, Seahorse Ireland, Project Seahorse and Divers Down and through kind donations from the public."

Do these "funded by and in partnership with " organisations realise how little actual research material is being made available to the public, despite repeated requests, and attempts at peer review.

So how does this "I do not get funding for this....I wish." (quote from ST44) reconcile with the BST website ?

I think we should be told...


Oh, and guess who has qualifications in diving, underwater photography, public squeaking, dah di dah di dah ? Your very own .....

 

[Tranona]

There is nothing particularly sinister about the Seahorse Trust, nor the Seahorse Survey. There is quite a bit of information on their site - The Survey is just an operation carried out by the Trust in pursuing its objectives. Its reports provide quite a lot of useful information on seahorses in UK waters - much of which shows that they are much more common and widespread than they would want you to believe. The problem is that the creatures are small, peripatetic and difficult to observe. This means that very few people go looking for them.

The unique feature of Studland is that there is an identifiable enemy - yotties - therefore it is easy to whip up the kind of hysteria we see in Studland. This of course conveniently ignores the fact that seahorses are found in man made marine environments such as the marinas in the Channel Islands and in heavily used commercial waters such as Southampton Water. These situations do not fit the "man against beast" scenario so well so are ignored.

The Tagging Project is at least an attempt to find out more - and is part of a wider investigation including the temporary anchoring ban and monitoring. Hopefully, the fact that it is publically funded and supported by two universities will mean that the results will be made public. Regular reports are proposed and a final report after the three years.

 

[Robin]

There is nothing particularly sinister about the Seahorse Trust, nor the Seahorse Survey. There is quite a bit of information on their site - The Survey is just an operation carried out by the Trust in pursuing its objectives. Its reports provide quite a lot of useful information on seahorses in UK waters - much of which shows that they are much more common and widespread than they would want you to believe. The problem is that the creatures are small, peripatetic and difficult to observe. This means that very few people go looking for them.

The unique feature of Studland is that there is an identifiable enemy - yotties - therefore it is easy to whip up the kind of hysteria we see in Studland. This of course conveniently ignores the fact that seahorses are found in man made marine environments such as the marinas in the Channel Islands and in heavily used commercial waters such as Southampton Water. These situations do not fit the "man against beast" scenario so well so are ignored.

The Tagging Project is at least an attempt to find out more - and is part of a wider investigation including the temporary anchoring ban and monitoring. Hopefully, the fact that it is publically funded and supported by two universities will mean that the results will be made public. Regular reports are proposed and a final report after the three years.

I partly understand what you say, but I still find it very curious that the Seahorse Trust appears to be a one man operation run from a private home. Nowhere is there a listing of members or an invitation to join, only an open invitation to donate money.

I have no argument with a proper survey or a tagging project as such either if it is carried out scientifically in such a way that the presented results are credible. The advertisement for the Tagging Officer however leads me to suspect that the operation will be handled not by an independent researcher at all, but someone who has very fixed ideas about the results before even starting.

 

[Sans Bateau]

...and someone here who is objecting to boats anchoring in the area, which has been happening for years with no apparent harm being done (I think a thriving colony of seahorses has been mentioned) but then they are going to start diving, interfering directly with the habitat of these creatures. I am alarmed that this will be allowed to go on, who is going to monitor their activity, what the hell gives them the right to interfere with a natural habit?

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

sent today

To the Crown Estate

Dear Sir/Madam

ref: seahorses and seagrass research in Studland Bay, Dorset.


Those who are either sceptics or suspicious about this research and the funding for it, appear restless and I believe require information so as to gain confidence in the validity of the Crown estates involvement.

Please see this website by boaters as an example of some of the discussions upon the subject and about some of those involved.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2312317#post2312317

My signature on the Forum shown is 'Scotty_Twister' and as yet I am unbiased and poorly read upon the subject of seahorses in Studland Bay.

Can you help in providing a statement for me to publish on the website and perhaps to the press, to put peoples mind at rest as to the validity of the research and what forms the research is taking and to the integrity of those conducting the research, raising funds for it and issueing facts please?

yours sincerely,


full personal info supplied

 

[Tranona]

I partly understand what you say, but I still find it very curious that the Seahorse Trust appears to be a one man operation run from a private home. Nowhere is there a listing of members or an invitation to join, only an open invitation to donate money.

I have no argument with a proper survey or a tagging project as such either if it is carried out scientifically in such a way that the presented results are credible. The advertisement for the Tagging Officer however leads me to suspect that the operation will be handled not by an independent researcher at all, but someone who has very fixed ideas about the results before even starting.

I share your concerns about the independent nature of the enquiry. As you identified the Seahorse Trust is a one man band and Steve is also a one man band but they have managed to grab the attention of influential people. The reality is that they do have more knowledge about the subject than probably anybody else. One can but hope that the discipline of being accountable will change not only their approach to enquiry but also the way they communicate their findings.

 

[Tranona]

Scotty

Think you will find what you are looking for on the Crown Estate website under the studlad sea grass project - Google Studland Seahorses and there is plenty of information

 

[jhr]

One can but hope that the discipline of being accountable will change not only their approach to enquiry but also the way they communicate their findings.

It's a nice idea, but phrases like

We will be fighting for studland to become a marine protected area, and for the eelgrass to be given the protection it needs, live with it.

don't exactly fill me with confidence on that score. It's a real pity; he could get a great deal of support and expert help from some posters on here if he weren't so blinkered and prejudiced.

Hey ho.........

 

[Robin]

I share your concerns about the independent nature of the enquiry. As you identified the Seahorse Trust is a one man band and Steve is also a one man band but they have managed to grab the attention of influential people. The reality is that they do have more knowledge about the subject than probably anybody else. One can but hope that the discipline of being accountable will change not only their approach to enquiry but also the way they communicate their findings.

If you read the comments following the article in the Bournemouth Echo, see link here:-
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/4736120.Marine_Bill_will_protect_sea_life/#show

From these comments you will see very clearly what preconceived ideas Steve Trewhella has to the survey.

 

[Sans Bateau]

It's a nice idea, but phrases like don't exactly fill me with confidence on that score. It's a real pity; he could get a great deal of support and expert help from some posters on here if he weren't so blinkered and prejudiced.

Hey ho.........

My same thoughts, I dont think there is anyone who loves the sea as much as boat owners who would want to damage an environment that supports any creature. Mr ST has missed an opportunity to gain some valuable support. A real home goal.

 

[Tranona]

My same thoughts, I dont think there is anyone who loves the sea as much as boat owners who would want to damage an environment that supports any creature. Mr ST has missed an opportunity to gain some valuable support. A real home goal.

You need to understand that support from "people like us" is the last thing he wants. He needs to have enemies. One issue people such as him need to be seen as martyrs and the carrier of the banner - you can't be that if other people agree with you.

His aim is to engage ignorant people "the general public", not to convince people who might ask questions.

 

[glashen]

In March of this year I attended a talk from Dorset Wildlife Trust one of the organizations promoting the survey, I felt and still do that it was a reasonable approach to the concerns regarding damage to the Eel grass, (some of my fellow members think I'm a tree hugger) as I have consistently said proper information is the key to this, however I have grown increasingly skeptical about Steve Trewhella who sees us and the residents of Studland as the enemy. I have no problem with a proper management plan for the bay, it may even be that the present level of anchoring is unacceptable, that isn't proven yet.

But I suspect that Steve will not be happy until Studland Bay and anywhere else where there could be Eel grass is a no go area for boats.

 

[mandlmaunder]

He can afford to help yotties

"The trust manages its accounts very well, having an income of £55474 and an expenditure of £40397 for the last three financial years. "

With that sort of money sitting around doing nothing he could purchase as a non profit organization lots of Sand Screws and put in moorings for everyone to use then the anchoring debate would be mute due to the SHT doing the right thing.

How much does a tag for a sea horse cost and where exactly on the tiny little creature do they propose to attach it without doing harm and disabling the creature?.

Sounds like a bad idea to me, is there some old saying about watching some thing will fundamentally change it's behavior due to being watched.

 

[KristiferColumbus]

...and someone here who is objecting to boats anchoring in the area, which has been happening for years with no apparent harm being done (I think a thriving colony of seahorses has been mentioned) but then they are going to start diving, interfering directly with the habitat of these creatures. I am alarmed that this will be allowed to go on, who is going to monitor their activity, what the hell gives them the right to interfere with a natural habit?

Could'nt agree more........I think there is something sickening about all the Nature programs on telly nowadays where all these do gooders are going around tagging everything......& calling them names ...& making up little family 'soaps'.
..........To many do gooders trying to cash in on the act.

 

[KristiferColumbus]

In March of this year I attended a talk from Dorset Wildlife Trust one of the organizations promoting the survey, I felt and still do that it was a reasonable approach to the concerns regarding damage to the Eel grass, (some of my fellow members think I'm a tree hugger) as I have consistently said proper information is the key to this, however I have grown increasingly skeptical about Steve Trewhella who sees us and the residents of Studland as the enemy. I have no problem with a proper management plan for the bay, it may even be that the present level of anchoring is unacceptable, that isn't proven yet.

But I suspect that Steve will not be happy until Studland Bay and anywhere else where there could be Eel grass is a no go area for boats.

If I may but in here.I noticed a load of weed 3/4 years ago in Portsmouth Harbour that just seemed to appear out the blue & it spread like wildfire.
Who is to say that what Steve has detected in Studland Bay is not the start of an onslaught brought about by Global warming?

 

[sarabande]

sex life of eel grass (wake up at the back !)

Tranona

I wandered in and out of quite alot of tech journals, looking at eel grass as you suggested.

I found that articles that it has an interesting sex life to pollinate and reproduce. Which supports your view that anchors tearing up the plants won't help them spread.

But then, I came across this :
"As eelgrass grows it sprouts rhizomes, basically stems running horizontally through the mud or sand. New shoots sprout from nodes along the top of the rhizome, and little roots grow down to secure the plant and bind the sediments around it. Through this vegetative reproduction, and also through seed dispersal in spring and summer, eelgrass plants eventually consolidate into beds."
http://www.armofthesea.info/hab/eel-grass.html

So it looks as if disturbance of the eel grass roots (rhizomes) may in fact help the dispersal of the plant, and hence the spread of eel grass habitat.

That being the case (and I'm open to challenge on that sentence above) then a reasonable amount of disturbance of eel grass by e.g. anchors, may in fact be a contributory factor in the spread of the plant. (I know, "define reasonable )


Looks as if KC has picked up this before me ! Any other observations from anyone ? Are we going to have a plague of eel grass in the same way that we have a plague of Japanese Knotweed ?

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Are we going to have a plague of eel grass in the same way that we have a plague of Japanese Knotweed ?

Oh no. I can see Steve Trewhella and his mate issuing press releases complaining that anchoring boats are causing eel grass to 'choke' Studland Bay with uncontrolled growth.