A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Dart Harbour – its nature matters to us all
Dart Harbour, Dart Estuary or to many ‘The River’, is the final stretch of the River Dart. The estuary itself is the stretch where the freshwaters that started from rain falling up on the highlands of Dartmoor, meet and mix with the saltwater of the ocean at Start Bay.
The tidal conditions dictate some challenging conditions but despite this, highly productive wildlife communities of saltmarsh, tidal reedbeds and mudflats enrich the estuary; all rivalling tropical rainforests for the amount of ‘blue’ carbon that they trap and store indefinitely. All parts are special but the Upper Dart is designated as a Marine Conservation Zone and the mouth as part of the coast’s Special
our Harbour, our Estuary Needs You!
Your Harbour,
While you may have a small impact n our planet … there are a lot of us!
Your Estuary Needs You! While you may have a small impact on our planet … there are a lot of us!
ere are some simple things that will ake a massive difference when we all try.
Avoid saltmarshes where possible
from sensitive shores
Cigarette butts are
plastic & toxic to aquatic life - Bin the Butt!
Avoid
- paddlers should - paddlers should take care when
from sensitive of sensitive
shores
communities – these are our carbon sinks – cross, paddle,
plastic & toxic to carefully
aquatic life - Bin the Butt!
Leave nothing
Be part of
he BioSecurity olution “CHECK – CLEAN – DRY”
This is a soft
water region – dose detergent for ‘soft water’
but ripples and footprints – take only photos & good Be
part of memories
the BioSecurity solution “CHECK – CLEAN – DRY”
Be wildlife disturbance
sensitive – give it This
space & respect, is a soft
water region – dose detergent for ‘soft water’
it may be the law
motor and anchor motor and anchor carefully
Cigarette butts are
Leave nothing
where possible the 4p’s down the Loo – Pee,
saltmarshes
launching over or launching over or Be aware
take care when Poo, Puke & Paper
Be aware of sensitive Only ever
Here are some simple things that will make a massive difference when we all try.
Only ever
the 4p’s down Keep
the Loo – Pee, Poo, Puke & Paper
wake to a minimum … on the slow side!
shore and seabed shore and seabed Anti-foul
communities – these may be a
are our carbon sinks – cross, paddle,
Keep
Refuse > Reuse > Recycle
wake to a minimum … on the slow side!
Reduce >
Anti-foul may be a
Dog parents – dispose
necessary evil but necessary evil but make sure it’s in a make sure it’s in a tin, on your hull or tin, on your hull or being disposed of being disposed of appropriately
appropriately
but ripples and footprints – take only photos &
Prevent Fat-Bergs
– reduce Food, good memories
Fats, Oils or Grease down the sink
Be wildlife disturbance Every
sensitive – give it space & respect, it may be the law
fuel/oil drop counts – refuel / top up with care
Prevent Fat-Bergs
Only Rain Down road
– reduce Food, courses
to natural water Grease down the sink
Drains, they lead Fats, Oils or
of all dog poo
appropriately – in the sea it can pose a risk to bathers and water quality
Drains, they lead to natural water courses
matters – collect your 5-a-day
Only Rain Down road
Litter
fuel/oil drop counts – refuel / top up with care
to sea
pump-out facilities – if you must pump-out, only pump out on the
tank and use local tank and use local pump-out facilities –
Fit a holding Every
if you must pump-out, only pump out on the
ebbing tide or out ebbing tide or out to sea
Reduce >
Refuse > Reuse > Recycle
Dog parents – dispose
of all dog poo
appropriately – in the sea it can pose a risk to bathers and water quality
Litter
matters – collect your 5-a-day
Fit a holding
Area of Conservation, parts of our national Marine Protected Areas network.
The Dart Estuary is a ‘drowned river valley’ or ria, formed through the last Ice Age; sheltered, tree- lined, steep sided and deep waters - near perfect as a natural harbour. The river’s significant rainwater catchment area leads to the estuary being freshwater dominated, its water quality greatly influenced by its catchment, as well as how we use it locally within the harbour.
One of the best ways to enjoy the estuary and discover its wildlife is to quietly explore its tranquillity from the water. You will surely see seals and many birds, but otters and kingfishers are quite possible too! The South Devon National Landscape website provides many free self-guided trails & guides about this special area – visit www.
SouthDevon-NL.org.uk Maybe join an informative local tour - find out more from one of our great local Information Centres.
Dart Harbour Authority have a leading role within the long-term conservation management, enhancement and stewardship of the estuary and we encourage our customers and stakeholders to join us in its pride and care. Further information is included within the pages of this guide (and on our website www.DartHarbour. org) - some of our priority issues include:
• Improving water quality
• Minimising wildlife & habitat disturbance
• Avoiding litter & managing waste
• Wildlife conservation with a current focus on saltmarsh
• Biosecurity and the prevention of spreading invasive species
South Devon
ombe Port
Salcombe EcoPort
54 Dart Harbour Ch 11 DARTNAV South Devon
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