Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2015 | Page 86
COUNTRY LIFE
National
Marine Week
S
ome 29 species of whales, dolphins, and the
second largest shark in the world, basking
sharks - are regularly found in UK waters.
Some of these can be found off the coast of
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
However several of these magnificent ocean
giants are now in decline because of decades
of damage, and unsustainable exploitation of
the oceans. Whether it’s collisions with ships,
dolphins getting tangled in nets or accidentally
caught, or pollution working its way through the
food chain - our impact on marine life has been
devastatingly clear.
Although the government has introduced
protected areas in our seas, the reality is that the
nutrient-rich places that ocean giants like whales
and dolphins need for feeding, breeding and
socialising remain unprotected. Some species
have global migration routes, taking in thousands
of miles and need a network of protected areas
specifically to support them.
The wider health of our oceans is also really
important for us. Over half of the oxygen in
our atmosphere is produced by seagrasses,
microscopic phytoplankton and seaweeds. The
oceans also play an important role in regulating
our climate by absorbing and storing carbon
dioxide and heat.
National Marine Week at the start of August is
a good time to reflect on our amazing marine
habitats, and find out more about the creatures in
our sea. In celebration we are holding a series of
events on the Isle of Wight, from beach surveys to
rockpool rummages! Why not come down to find
out what’s beneath the waves, and what you can
do to help.
Photo: Shoresearch at Colwell by Amy Marsden
By Tim Ferrero, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust,
Head of Marine Conservation
Diary dates:
Tuesday, August 25
1.00 - 3.00pm
Rockpool Rummage
Discover the fascinating array of
wildlife inhabiting the Island’s rocky
shore at Bembridge Ledge. Bring
a net and bucket if you have them,
and wear shoes that you can get
wet. Children must be accompanied,
with a suggested maximum of three
children per adult. Parking charges
apply. Contact Kathy Grogan on 01983
760018. Suggested donation £3. Sorry,
no dogs permitted.
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Saturday, August 29
4.00 - 6.00pm
Wildlife Watch Rockpooling
Rockpooling at Horse Ledge, Shanklin.
Meet at the southern end of Shanklin
esplanade outside the ice cream kiosk
where the slope goes down to the
beach. Bring a net if you have one and
non-slip shoes you can wear in the
water. We’ll be watching the cliffs for
peregrines and ravens and checking
out the rockpools on this special bit of
coast. Contact Kathy Grogan on 01983
760018. Suggested donation £3.
Saturday, September 2
5.15 - 8.00pm
Thorness Shoresearch Survey
Join us on a Shoresearch survey at
Thorness beach to record the seaweed
and animals found when the tide
goes out. You will be helping to collect
valuable data about our seashore and
will learn more about the marine life
which lives there. Loads of interesting
animals can be found hiding in
between and under rocks. To book or
for info contact Abbi Scott on 01489
774439 or [email protected].