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Marine Conservation
27
Apr�
2009
Marine conservation to reach new heights on the
Isles of Scilly
An exciting marine project has been launched on the Isles of Scilly which will deliver marine conservation activities on an unprecedented scale for the islands. Scilly abounds in vivid and diverse marine life such as colourful corals, delicate sponges, enormous basking sharks and playful grey seals. The Isles of Scilly Marine Biodiversity Project, run by the The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust will benefit this fantastic marine life and the local people that live there.
Over the next two years, with the help of local people, the project will seek to learn more about the rich marine habitats around Scilly like the seagrass meadows, rocky reefs and the boulders of the rocky shores. The project has been funded by Natural England�s Countdown 2010 fund and the Crown Estate.
Project Officer, Angie Gall says,
�Working with the community is central to the project and is particularly important on Scilly where local people have such strong connections to and knowledge of the sea.�
This month local divers are taking part in Seasearch training to teach them how to survey the reefs and wrecks that they visit and to help them identify the variety of life that they find. They will then be able to participate in diving surveys throughout the summer, working alongside expert marine biologists and divers.
Angie is hoping that lots of local people will want to take part in the project. For people who are less keen to submerge themselves, the project offers training in rocky shore surveys, investigating the weird and wonderful creatures and plants living on boulders in the intertidal zone. Anyone can volunteer to help out with the project and there are a wide range of activities planned.
Local children will have the chance to take part in a special marine education programme starting this month as part of the project. The programme will go out to each of the islands and work with both primary and secondary children from the Five Islands School. Day-long sessions in the classroom and out on the shore will introduce pupils to some of their important marine habitats and how to participate in a real scientific survey.
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company is supporting the project through hosting a marine wildlife guide, Paul Semmens, on board the Scillonian every Wednesday throughout the spring and summer. Paul will talk to passengers about the amazing wildlife they could see during their trip. Paul has guided on board the Scillonian for several years and can�t wait to show people the wonderful array of marine life that can be seen from the Scillonian. All trips depart from Penzance at 0915 and return from Isles of Scilly at 16.30. Surveys of marine wildlife such as dolphins, whales and basking sharks are also being conducted from the Scillonian in collaboration with Marinelife, an organisation that co-ordinates a number of ferry-based wildlife research and monitoring programmes across Europe.
Jackie Gwennap, Marketing Manager of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company which operates the Scillonian said,
�We have a long standing relationship with the Wildlife Trust and fully support their fantastic work. We are proud of its association with this research programme and delighted we can enable them to continue their studies during 2009. Updates will be available on sightings at www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/wildlife.htm�
All the data collected goes towards building up a better understanding of the unique and special marine environment around these islands, creating a foundation to help conserve it for the future.
To find out more about the Isles of Scilly Marine Biodiversity Project visit the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust�s Wildlife Information Centre on St Mary�s Quay, or email Angie Gall at [email protected].
Ends
Contact:
Angie Gall, Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust Marine Biodiversity Project Officer, 01872 273939 ext 243 or 07812 009381.
Photo Opportunity:
Some spectacular photos of wildlife have been taken on board Scillonian III. Journalists and photographers are welcome to take part in the trips every Wednesday, departing from Penzance at 0915 and return from Isles of Scilly at 16.30, with expert guidance from Paul Semmens. Note: although it is likely, there is no 100% guarantee of wildlife sightings.
Photographs
* Jewel anemones, photo by Malcolm Nimmo
* Spiny starfish, photo by Malcolm Nimmo
* Pink sea fingers, photo by Malcolm Nimmo
* Pink sea fan coral, photo by Angie Gall
* The shoreline at Old Town St Mary's, photo by Angie Gall
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