Current long term, data collection projects in need of volunteers or submitted data
With so many local islanders taking an active interest in our local coastlines and their wildlife we have designed several data collection projects specifically to allow for the inclusion of those islanders knowledge, and submissions. Each project covers a separate area of our local marine environment and each can benefit from both casual data submissions and more dedicated data collections sessions.
Each project has a dedicated page for casual observations and data submission accessible by clicking the relevant link below, but if you would like to get involved with data collection on a more dedicated basis please contact us to sign up and receive a welcome pack.
2022 Inshore Bycatch DC
Inshore By-catch DC
Whilst offshore fishing in our waters is fairly well known to be destructive & high in non target species collection & killing (otherwise knows as by-catch) it is often assumed that inshore potting activities are a much more sustainable method of collecting food for consumption.
But is this really true? Or is there a hidden number of marine species who are being pointlessly killed by the unseen & unquestioned methods used by the fishing industry?
Whilst most potting fishermen are no doubt selective about the animals they keep from their pots, they can only empty the pots they retrieve. What becomes of the pots lost to the weather?
Do they continue to trap shellfish until they eventually wash up upon the islands shores?
Does the initial catch simply become the bait for the next unsuspecting detainee whilst this lost pot sits upon the seafloor until full?
This project aims to locate & log as many instances as possible of lost pots both washing up on our islands coastline with entrapped animals & those that break free from their locators & wander the oceans for eternity collecting as they go.
If you think you can help us with data collection for this project & would like to discuss getting involved please feel free to email us here