SSACN at World Ocean Day
Jun 19th, 2009 | By ssacn | Category: Other Organisations16th June 2009
Sun shines for Oceans Celebrations at Luce Bay
Luce Bay was a busy place at the weekend with 18 organisations involved in Sunday’s World Oceans Celebration at Port William co-ordinated by Solway Firth Partnership and 60 boats and 25 kayaks taking part in the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network’s Sharkatag event over the weekend. 220 anglers from Cornwall to Caithness took part and tagged around 200 fish including tope, smoothhound, bull huss, rays and spurdog.
Calum Duncan of the Marine Conservation Society joined members of the Newton Stewart Sub Aqua Club on a series of dives as part of the national Seaseach project and National Scenic Area Ranger, Ian Brown, led a group of volunteers who collected almost a ton of rubbish from the Luce Bay shoreline on Saturday. A sunny Sunday morning provided glorious conditions for the people who joined Jim Floyd of the newly formed Geo-D Group to find out more about the incredible cliff formations at Monreith.
Sue Hall of Solway Firth Partnership said “Everyone was out and about enjoying the fantastic natural environment so we’re really delighted with the way things went. The main aim was for people to have fun, but hopefully to find out a bit more about the marine and coastal environment, the way we use it and things we can all do to care for it as well. Everyone involved in the weekend’s events has a slightly different view of what’s special about the sea but we all share the common desire to look after it.”
Highlights of the Celebration at Port William on Sunday included the launch of a booklet, Sea Life Sea Food, written by Nic Coombey of Solway Heritage, supported by Solway Firth Partnership and Scottish Natural Heritage. Nic says, “The booklet aims raise awareness of the fantastic seafood which is landed locally and the fishing methods used, as well as the lifestyles of the amazing creatures which live under the waves and the high quality environment they depend upon.” The launch was followed with a cookery demonstration by local chef, Douglas Lisi, who cooked up a wide range of mouth-watering dishes using locally caught seafood.
Other talks and films throughout the day, all held in a marquee on the shoreline, included Scottish Sharks by SSACN, Solway Seashells by Jim Logan and Geology of the Solway by Jim Floyd.
Set against the stunning back drop of Luce Bay, two large display marquees hosted a wide range of crafts, competitions, displays and activities from Galloway Static Gear Fishermens’ Association, Galloway Fisheries Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, British Trust for Ornithology, Scottish Ornithologists Club, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, the Green Blue, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association, RSPB, Geo-D, Jim Logan (seashell specialist), David Hirst (marine enthusiast), Newton Stewart Sub Aqua Club, Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network, Dumfries & Galloway Council Ranger Service, the National Scenic Area Ranger Service and Solway Firth Partnership. It is difficult to select examples from such an excellent range of displays but popular live exhibits included the huge edible crab and stunning lobster supplied by local fishermen Andrew Lochhead and Paul Maguire which attracted great attention, as did Jamie Ribbens’ display of salmon and sea trout.
Outdoors, throughout the day, youngsters enjoyed rockpool rambles with DGC Ranger Service, driftwood art with Forestry Commission Scotland and DGAA and shore casting with SSACN – made safe by the use of a tennis ball on the end of the line!
Port William Inshore Rescue Service Lifeboat was on display and children enjoyed climbing aboard and trying out some of the equipment while the crew helped out by selling Cream o’ Galloway ice cream. The Monreith Arms supplied sandwiches and organisers would like to thank John Kay and staff for providing the volunteer beach cleaners with a free lunch on Saturday which was greatly appreciated. Thanks are also due to Ann Hirst and volunteers who kept the tea and coffee urns bubbling throughout the day on Sunday.
Pam Taylor of Solway Firth Partnership said, “Events like these only happen as a result of a great deal of hard work and enthusiasm from a lot of people as well as the generous support of funders and sponsors. Our main aim is to increase enjoyment, understanding and care of the natural environment but the economic benefits these events bring to the local area should not be underestimated. We will be gathering as much information as we can about accommodation bookings in the area over the weekend to better evaluate this. If you would like to provide any feedback about any aspect of the weekend, please feel welcome to contact Solway Firth Partnership on 01387 702161 or drop us a line at info@solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk.”
World Oceans Week has been enabled by funding from Scottish Natural Heritage, Dumfries & Galloway Council and E-On Climate and Renewables with support and sponsorship from a wide range of individuals and organisations including SSACN, the Monreith Arms, Cream o’ Galloway, West Skelston Services and Jessops.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Sue Hall or Pam Taylor
Solway Firth Partnership
Campbell House
The Crichton
Bankend Road
Dumfries
DG1 4ZB
T 01387 702161
E info@solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk
Solway Firth Partnership was established in 1994 to help bring together the many organisations, companies and individuals with interests in the Solway. The Partnership aims to ensure the long term sustainability of the Firth’s resources while protecting the distinctive character, wildlife and heritage of the area.
World Oceans’ Day was established as part of the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and annually aims to highlight the magnificence of our oceans, the pressures on the marine environment and steps which can be taken to support its future health.
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