UPDATES FROM OUR COAST AND WATERWAYS 01
Blue carbon warning A report highlighting the large amount of carbon stored in Scottish seabeds shows the threat if that habitat is disturbed. Part of The Blue Carbon Mapping Project, the report found that 152 million tonnes of carbon is stored in the top 10cm of seabed sediment. Scotland’s seas make up more than 70 percent of the UK’s seas. Human activity, such as bottom trawling, can release carbon into the atmosphere.
02
Bloom boom In Northern Ireland,
confirmed cases of blue-green algae this year were up roughly 40 percent on last year’s numbers, causing many water- related events to be cancelled. The Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs was holding sessions in hotspot Lough Neagh to offer advice on what can be done by people to reduce waterway pollution.
04 Hoist and sail
Snettisham Beach Sailing Club is the first in Norfolk to install a pontoon with a hoist. The new facilities mean anyone who has difficulties getting onto the water due to mobility issues can still sail. Accessible sessions will start in April 2025 but the club is looking for volunteers to train now. Visit
www.snetbeach.
co.uk for more information.
05 03
Port for Welsh power The dockyard at Milford Haven’s Pembroke Port is set to become a centre for Welsh offshore energy following its upgrade. The changes, including a huge slipway, are hoped to attract tidal, wind and wave power energy companies. With 1,200km of coastline and six gigawatts of potential wave and tidal power, Wales is in a good position to play a part in global marine energy.
Tall travels
This autumn a tall ship began to transport goods from Normandy to Newhaven to save CO2
. The eco-friendly cargo ship, carrying pallets of French products, will use engines to navigate the ports but wind power for most of the trip.
06 Orange drink
For two years, the water in Whitehaven Harbour has intermittently turned orange from the presence of iron ochre, possibly from mine workings. Boaters are concerned about staining of gelcoats, whether anodes can work in so much iron and if it’ll impact engine cooling. The RYA is observing investigations by the Harbour Commissioners, Environment Agency, Coal Authority and Network Rail.
07
Solent sees the future The Environment Agency has prepared their preferred plans for the Hurst Spit to Lymington sea defences. Looking 100 years into the future, the draft is a mix of maintaining defences, increasing heights in some areas, realigning the coastline and creating new habitats.
08
Farming factors Port Quin seaweed farm consultations have restarted after more information was supplied. These 100-hectare proposals raise navigational safety issues so the RYA will be responding to the consultations.
09 Mersey tide Proposals for a tidal
barrage across the Mersey are under consultation. The RYA will respond on behalf of local clubs so their concerns are addressed in the Environmental Impact Assessment.
rya.org.uk WINTER 2024 23
Photo: Getty
Photos: Alamy, Getty
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