Thanks to all those members who attended the 2024 AGM, minutes of that meeting will follow soon but briefly all the present committee members and officers were re-elected. David Brimson was confirmed as Treasurer. A discussion about future subscription rates resulted in general acceptance that, should the need arise, an increase to £20 pa for a family membership would be acceptable but is not required at present.
In the immediate future we have a members’ evening on March 20th at the Regal when NCI Prawle Station Manager, Richard Povall, will talk about filling a niche in the search and rescue network. 7pm for 7.30 as usual. Details of the April and May meetings are in the calendar on the web site.
Good news recently received, which some of you will already have heard, is that the proposal to allow gill net fishing in the Estuary was put to the vote at an IFCA meeting in February and was soundly defeated. Not only on technical issues but also in response to public objections. Thanks to all of you that took the time to respond.
I hope to see many of you on the 20th.
Tony
In the meantime the following has been received from the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary Conservation Forum and might be of interest to members.
Dear Estuary Forum members
Notices:
South Devon Catchments Partnership meeting – this Wednesday (today) 6th March at 2pm – Hybrid meeting hosted from the Cary Room at Follaton House, Totnes TQ9 5NE – within the agenda (see attached) we will be covering the Dart Catchment Action Plan, monitoring form, and round table updates.
To find the Cary room, please enter Follaton House via the grand pillared ‘Civic Entrance’ – head across the ‘Old Reception’ lobby into the ‘Inner Hall’. Turn to your right and the Cary Room (G221 below) is now facing you.
To join the Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88553672794?pwd=4Dhvsm9YQHaPx3qmlL2t7GGgB2Dlgd.1
Meeting ID: 885 5367 2794
Passcode: 575509
Living Dart: The Saltmarsh Project: Phase II – You are warmly invited to attend the upcoming ‘super saltmarsh’ event on the 25th at Totnes Cinema–the culmination of Living Dart: The Saltmarsh Project Phase 2 of this partnership project, and would very much appreciate you sharing the event details with friends and colleagues who may be interested. The team has learned so much over the past several months, there’s much to share, including the responses made by the local artists who joined us over the winter.
Here’s a synthesis of the event:
• Join Bioregional Learning Centre and partners for the official ‘unwrapping’ of Living Dart: The Saltmarsh Project.
• Totnes Cinema, Monday evening 25th March from 6.30-9.30pm. This free event is a screening, learning opportunity and live artists’ performance.
• Bar opens at 6.30pm for the purchase of drinks and snacks. Programme starts at 7pm.
• Meet the team, learn from experts, experience contributions from the project artists Beth Heaney, Christian de Sousa, Clare Parker & Jade Hayes, Emilio Mula and Ivan Grieve.
• The evening will end with a Q&A to discuss how we can get to know–and protect–this vital ecosystem and carbon store.
• The event is free but please register here [Eventbrite link] – seats are going fast!
More detailed project information, including next steps for restoration, will be going up on our [BioRegion] website once we have gathered it all together and summarized it in a useful way.
We would also like to invite you to view our great new animation made with funding from Naturesave. https://vimeo.com/907185044
Bathing Waters Consultation – [Four of the 27 proposed are within the Dart Estuary] the consultation is only open until the 10 March. Anyone can respond to the consultation online via Citizen Space: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water/consultation-on-designation-of-27-sites-as-bathing by email at bathingwater@defra.gov.uk or by post at:
Bathing Waters Team
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Ground Floor
Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Bathing Water Overall Classification 2023 – can be found on 2023 Statistics on English coastal and inland bathing waters: A summary of compliance with the 2013 bathing water regulations – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Best wishes
Nigel