Survey for recreational sailors

[pmagowan]

And not even considering all the horses that live in open fields



+1

Mostly it makes me uneasy in a "don't give them ideas" kind of way.

Pete

Exactly. Remember the document that suggested we were at imminent threat of WMD attack in 45mins? No doubt, if research is made available suggesting that recreational craft 'could' be a significant factor it will be used against us. Just look at the sea-horses and they are still in the stable, they just don't want to share!

 

[awol]

Are sperm whales in Oban Bay native or non-native? And if the latter, how do you plan to keep them out?

 

[prv]

Just look at the sea-horses and they are still in the stable, they just don't want to share!

I'm sure the seahorses don't give a toss either way. The problem is a small number of people with an unjustified chip on their shoulders about "rich yotties", plus a larger number of people who don't really know anything about the subject but are willing to be convinced that there is a problem.

The scientists themselves (like Vicki) aren't the problem, but others will take their research and twist it to their own ends.

(To be clear, in the seahorse case there isn't even any science that can be twisted, just a lot of assumptions and shouting that "it stands to reason". As far as I'm aware, all the actual studies have concluded that there is no problem.)

Pete

 

[Twister_Ken]

I'm sure you're already aware but the measures against "killer shrimp" spreading from Grafham Water

Are they like killer squid, but smaller?

 

[Vicki_1]

Are sperm whales in Oban Bay native or non-native? And if the latter, how do you plan to keep them out?

A transitional native, and we very much enjoyed watching him!

On a more serious note, I have considered boats that are not in marinas. However, it would appear that INNS are concentrated in marinas and therefore my project is focused on these. I am investigating the difference in INNS concentrations in both open and enclosed marinas, to see if residence time has an impact on the number of INNS at a marina. I am assuming that there will be fewer INNS in open marinas as the spores/larvea will have drifted away, but I haven't got the data yet. Obviously the best thing to do here would be to see what INNS were in a marina, then track tides and alike and check to see if the species could have migrated in naturally from a population further down the coast. Unfortunately that is a PhD project as it would take a lot of time and money, neither of which I have

Non-natives will naturally spread once they have settled on UK shores, however many organisms both native and not are being spread to areas they wouldn't normally reach by the additional transportation method of boats. Muddy and silty coasts can halt the spread of species which require a hard surface to attach to, but if animals can hitch a free ride on a boat, or hop from one wind farm installation to the next, they can spread a lot further (another PhD project is currently ongoing regarding the effects of renewable energy sites as artificial reefs for INNS).

In terms of retrofitting existing marinas, it's completely infeasible! I am looking at designing and building the next generation of ports and marinas in order to control the spread of INNS. There are many non-native species which do not cause any known harm to the environment or the economy, but a select few do huge damage to both (for instance the Chinese mitten crab).

Thanks again for all your comments and survey responses, they're all very helpful

 

[Vicki_1]

I'm sure the seahorses don't give a toss either way. The problem is a small number of people with an unjustified chip on their shoulders about "rich yotties", plus a larger number of people who don't really know anything about the subject but are willing to be convinced that there is a problem.

My uncle is a "rich yottie", who once took me for a holiday in the Agean on his yacht, so I have no chip on my shoulder In fact, one day (when I'm grown up!) I hope to own a boat myself!

And just to reiterate, there is definitely a problem with marine SOME invasives, but I definitely do not think it is all the fault of recreational boaters!

 

[pmagowan]

I think there is definately a problem with marine invasive species, just like there is on land with plants etc. The difficulty is identifying what factors are involved and what you can do about it. Obviously the most important thing is to prevent their initial arrival on our island. I think this has virtually nothing to do with recreational craft but there is, at least a chance that they are involved. It is far more likely down to massive ships and their ballast tanks. If the 99.9% non-recreational is dealt with it may become justifiable to think about the odd barnicle on a yachts hull. At least if we are dealing only with international travel the numbers would be significantly reduced. Then there needs to be a simple, effective and cheap method of solving the problem which does not overly affect the recreational crafts owner. If it does they simply will not use it. This is a fact of life.

Once an invasive species is here the battle is already pretty much lost and, once again, I think that recreational craft are very much uninvolved. If they are so easily transported that they will get on the hull and drop off on our annual cruise then they will likely spread all over the country even if we banned all recreational craft. The idea of wiping out all life in marinas to prevent it seems overkill. Perhaps they should let us start using toxic antifoul again. It would likely have less environmental damage than the proposed alternatives and it would be directed to the potential area of concern.

I have no problem with the science, it is interesting and yachties are normally interested in the marine environment. I am slightly concerned about the possible implications of any 'suggestion' that yachts pose a significant risk as I feel this is likely not born out by the science and could be used against us in the future. This is not a problem with science but a problem with its interpretation and use by government and other groups.

 

[Boathook]

It always strikes me that haul out and cleaning is an overly complicated process, which could be made much easier with an investment in technology and equipment.

We drive our cars into a car wash, and they get washed, then we drive out. No reason why the same principle couldn't apply to boats. Drive in, lift, jet wash all round, lower, drive out - job done. With enough demand, it might be possible to provide a "competitive" facility.

My car does not go into a car wash as it costs me money, and the same would apply to my boat.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Are sperm whales in Oban Bay native or non-native? And if the latter, how do you plan to keep them out?

I think you'd notice if one was stuck to your hull...