Eelgrass – the latest

The eelgrass awareness programme has moved on. The poster has been designed, printed and laminated. A copy is included in this newsletter and it can also be downloaded from the VMCA website.

Over 20 posters have been distributed by members of the HVMCA to sailing clubs, marinas, post offices/ village stores, chandlers and tourist “hot spots”. People are generally very receptive and from my own observations the expanded “voluntary no anchor zone” has been well respected.

The publicity attached to the dispute in Studland has given rise to some fears but the situation in the Helford is fundamentally different. We have a well established voluntary approach based on cooperation and it seems to work very well.

Progress on the eelgrass power point presentation is slow due to summer, studying, family holidays – I have any number of excuses! The plan is to have something ready for the end of the season.

Finally our eelgrass beds seem to be doing well this year, extending their range and growing again in areas where they have not been seen for a number of years. I don’t think we can claim all the credit (Mother Nature is the major player) but the efforts over the years to provide protection, raise awareness and to undertake research means that the increase in the size of the beds is something that a wide range of people and marine organisms can feel good about.

Mike Langshaw, HMCG member and volunteer

Extract from HVMCA newsletter No.43 Autumn 2011