Marine conservation areas, vote.

[glashen]

I'm all for marine conservation glashen but in my experience most of the problems stem from the land & to many people.
We have marine conservationists in Portsmouth Harbour but I have nothing but contempt for them because I have seen them in action.(I would love to give particulars but it would probably just exasperate the situation & encourage another phalanx of do gooders to a location that I cherish).
A perfect example of my concerns is what is happening to Fareham creek & Portsmouth Harbour generally because of relentless development in Fareham/Gosport/Portsmouth & the sheer number of people.It is not a marine conservation issue it is just down to the pure number of people b*ggering up the environment.

I'm sure that's true, but it doesn't mean we're always in the right, would you want to go back to the time when it was OK to chuck rubbish overboard (I never did but many others did).

Regarding your problems in Portsmouth Harbour you might like to know that Christchurch Harbour (My home port) has I think at least 37 organizations who want to be consulted before anything affecting the harbour itself can be done. That doesn't mean that waterside development is necessarily restricted putting more pressure as you say on the harbour.

 

[KristiferColumbus]

I'm sure that's true, but it doesn't mean we're always in the right, would you want to go back to the time when it was OK to chuck rubbish overboard (I never did but many others did).

Regarding your problems in Portsmouth Harbour you might like to know that Christchurch Harbour (My home port) has I think at least 37 organizations who want to be consulted before anything affecting the harbour itself can be done. That doesn't mean that waterside development is necessarily restricted putting more pressure as you say on the harbour.

You highlight a good point about education.Don't drop litter.Don't throw your empty wine bottles over the side after you have had a nice evening watching the sun going down (that seems to be happening in at least one marina here in Fareham if my experience picking them up in the creek is anything to go by).
Don't.........There is no doubt a lot of selfish stupid people about who don't give a dam.(I would hang & flog them given half a chance but seriously.I never was of the persuasion that it is ok to dump rubbish over the side).I am far from perfect but we need severer punishment for people that transgress(the knowledge that tankers still clean their tanks etc at sea sort of thing).It can be done but sentimental issues regarding sea horses
I just don't think the evidence is there.
It would be nice to have a sailing & cruising Naturalists trust because I do think we get to see & appreciate a lot of things that others don't.Speaking for myself if it was'nt for the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature & get close to it I doubt I would bother to go sailing.