This grant from the Lottery Heritage Fund is reported by the BBC H2O show. The centre will open its doors to the public and begin training in April 2015, run buy the naval base trust and a new branch of the International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC). Congratulations to them. It should be a fascinating place … Continue reading £3.75m for Portsmouth Historic boatbuilding project
Category: Conservation
Good news for little terns
Increased breeding success fir Little Terns at Chesil Beach, a short distance along the coast from the Solent, seems to have been achieved by some innovative thinking, as Natural England report on their website The decline of seabird populations in the Solent must be causing concern. In particular, the little tern colony on Beaulieu spit … Continue reading Good news for little terns
New EU proposal on invasive alien species
The European Commission has proposed a draft Regulation on the eradication or control of invasive alien species which are of concern on an EU-wide scale. It estimates that there were between 1200 and 1800 such species. Some of these are of direct interest in the Solent context because they enter the local ecosystem from ships, … Continue reading New EU proposal on invasive alien species
Medmerry Flooding Starts
The Medmerry managed realignment scheme, one of the largest ever attempted in the UK is just about complete. Flooding started on the 11th September when the sea wall was deliberately breached to create a huge new area of wetland. The process of opening the area to the sea can be monitored by looking at two … Continue reading Medmerry Flooding Starts
Fishing in European Marine Sites a revised approach
Off the Coast of Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight there are 7 European Marine Sites designated to protect and improve some of Europe’s most important habitats and species. These sites form part of the vibrant ecologically important coastal waters of the Southern IFCA District and support the commercial and recreational fisheries which are … Continue reading Fishing in European Marine Sites a revised approach
Boiler Marsh
The Society has been corresponding with the National Park Planning Authority regarding compliance by Wightlink with the conditions imposed as part of its planning consent. The Authority have told us that they are currently satisfied that the company is compliant but have asked us if we have any concerns as to why the objectives behind the … Continue reading Boiler Marsh
MMO release new Strategic Mgt table for MCZ
A long document with terse comments that require interpretation. Check out items 62,63 and 65 for the Solent proposed MCZ.
Fracking FAQ
DECC have published a report about fracking. The report certainly covers a huge amount of ground and explains the official approach to this controversial subject. At SPS we do not have an opinion for or against fracking, but we do support a search for responsible answers to the many questions. This report is a useful … Continue reading Fracking FAQ
Newtown, a magical harbour
Newtown is a natural creek penetrating the Isle of Wight between Cowes and Yarmouth. It is one of the few places in the Solent where anchoring is easy and sheltered in all wind directions. The National Trust own the whole area, and it has never been designated as a statutory harbour. Legal Challenge Some years … Continue reading Newtown, a magical harbour
MCZ programme update
RYA have published a useful update regarding the MCZ designation timetable. RYA remains concerned about lack of consultation on management measures
Solent Protection Society 