Sustainable Seas for All – and that means you!

If you have a view on the running of coastal and marine waters then this September will be the best chance for a generation to influence a major piece of legislation. The Scottish Government has tasked EGCP with running a consultation workshop in Aberdeen on 17th September.

Got An Idea?

If you have an idea for a project in your area, why not apply for an EGCP Community Grants Scheme? The scheme offers grants of up to £1000, which are available to non profit making bodies such as community groups and schools for projects which benefit the natural environment of the coast, the local area, the community and its visitors.

We can help with the process of making an application from advice for writing the forms to setting up a group to run the project.

For more information please see the website or contact the partnership staff. The closing date for the applications is 19th December 2008

National Whale and Dolphin Watch

The 7th annual National Whale and Dolphin Watch, organised by the Sea Watch Foundation, took place between 21st and 29th June. When much of the UK was having bad weather, we were basking in sun shine and enjoying high numbers of sightings. This year the hot spot proved to be between Fraserburgh and St Cyrus with 20% of all the UK’s sightings coming from this small stretch of coast! Several watches took place over the week, with experts on hand to help with identification and spotting them in the first place! Harbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphins, white beaked dolphins and minke whales were all recorded during the week itself with rissos dolphins, common dolphins and killer whales spotted in the fortnight beforehand, highlighting what a fantastic place the local coast is-these amazing creatures are literally on our doorstep.

Record Summer for Whale and Dolphin Surveys

This year more people than ever have taken part in the Northern North Sea cetacean Ferry Surveys (NORCET). The surveys are part of a joint project between researchers at the University of Aberdeen, the East Grampian Coastal Partnership and the South Grampian Seawatch Group. The project was set up to collect data on cetacean occurrence and distribution in the northern North Sea between Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland in summer 2002. Since then the project has expanded greatly, with this year having one of the best summers of coverage yet, thanks to a growing team of volunteers. We have had some great sightings this year including bottlenose dolphins, porpoise, minke whale, white beaked dolphin, killer whales and rissos dolphins as well as lots of birds and other wildlife. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers for all their hard work this year; it is much appreciated and without you the project would not be able to continue-thank you!

 

 

Beach Officer

This year, EGCP employed a seasonal member of staff, Ruth as a beach officer down at Aberdeen Beach. Ruth helped the beach keep its seaside award by ensuring all of the award criteria were met and providing a point of contact for beach users.

 

Photograph of the Month Competition

If you love taking snaps whilst at the coast why not send your best into EGCP? Each month we will be selecting the best images sent in (via e-mail if possible please) and posting them on this website in a new gallery. So not only do you (and the rest of the world) get to see to your pictures online, it also gives us the chance to showcase what a lovely place the East Grampian coast is!