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!

Dolphin Volunteers Ready To Set Sail

Our coastal waters are some of the best in Britain for spotting whales and dolphins but scientists know surprisingly little about what lives close to our shores. In order to help improve our knowledge, a partnership has been set up between the East Grampian Coastal Partnership, Sea Watch Foundation, Aberdeen University and NorthLink ferries. The partnership is looking for new volunteers to help monitor whales and dolphins on surveys between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles.

The surveys take place on board the NorthLink vessel Hascosay which transports cargo and vehicles to the Northern Isles. Two volunteers watch and record marine life en-route.

Ian Hay, Project Officer with the East Grampian Coastal Partnership said, ‘this is a real opportunity for anyone with an interest in the marine environment to help increase our understanding on these enjoyable trips’. You do not need to have good knowledge about whales and dolphins but you do need to have a keen interest and be willing to learn.

Volunteers will be given training on 19th April with new recruits accompanied by existing volunteers for the first few trips.

Kevin Hepworth added, ‘volunteers should see at least four species of cetacean and there is a real chance of seeing such creatures as Minke Whales, Orca and even Humpback Whales in our waters’.

In order to register for the training event or for more information please contact egcp@macaulay.ac.uk or call 01224 498251.

 

Marine Habitat Action Plan Consultation - 04/03/08

This month sees the launch of the consultation for the Marine Habitat Action Plan for the north east, which covers the sea off of the Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City coasts. This plan, written as part of the UK's obligation to conserve biodiversity looks at the marine environment from the low water mark out to 12 nautical miles and considers 48 individual species and the habitats which they rely upon. As part of the process, the group set up to write this (including EGCP, SNH, the Fisheries Research Service and many others) have identified these species, where they are found along our coast and any threats to their existance. The plan is now in a draft form but we would like the wider public to have their say.

Anyone with an interest in the marine environment is invited to comment on the plan, including the species included (do you agree with the ones on there or are there others which are missing and you think should be included, do we have the correct information for where each of the species are found) and the actions detailing how we can help to conserve and enhance our local marine environment.

You do not need to be an expert to comment-some of the most valuable information has come from members of the public who have local knowledge on where particular species can be seen. Please send in any comments via post, e-mail, phone or e-forum.

 

North East of Scotland Biodiversity Seminar, 3rd March 2008, The Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen

Marine biodiversity consultation launched

Next month sees the launch of the consultation for the North East of Scotland Marine Habitats Action Plan. The month long consultation will include a seminar held in the Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen.

Lead Author of the report Emily Hastings, Project Assistant with the East Grampian Coastal Partnership said ‘This area has a range of marine wildlife that we should be proud off, however most of people don’t get to see it’. 

Emily, a keen snorkeler who regularly ventures out all year round, adds, ‘with this action plan we have the opportunity to help conserve and enhance this asset with the co-operation of all those with an interest in the sea.

Most people in the north east know about the areas wonderful wildlife and landscapes however, what is happening off our coast is largely a mystery. In terms of landscapes beneath the waves we have large sand areas, rocky seabed’s, huge mudflats and even two canyons.

We also have a huge range of wildlife and to help people understand the range and beauty of the marine environment one of the UK’s leading underwater photographers, Paul Nayor will be displaying his images and sharing his views with the group.

For more information please see the event programme and the Draft Marine Habitats Action Plan

The presentaions from the seminar are now available;

Paul Naylor-Beneath the Waves

Fiona Manson-The Marine Wildlife Watching Code

Peter Evans-Using Volunteers to Monitor Biodiversity

Estelle Gill-Introducing LBAP

Emily Hastings-Introducing the Marine Habitat Action Plan

 

State of the Coast Report - 07/11/07

EGCP are starting work on writing a State of the Coast Report for the East Grampian coastline. The aim of the work is to collect of a wide range of coastal data held on the local area by individuals, agencies and organisations, in order to effectively manage the East Grampian coastline. However, we feel this can only be effectively achieved if information is brought together into one document to help inform future developments, decison making and for measuring change. The report will cover a number of social, economic and environmental issues, so if you have any data which you feel may be of use to this work, please contact us.

New EGCP Website Launched - 28/09/07

As some of you may have noticed we have re-designed the EGCP website. This work aimed to improve our promotion of both the natural and cultural heritage of the East Grampian coast; engage with stakeholders through improved communication networks and to act as a forum to discuss multi-agency issues. We would like the website to be a useful and informative tool for both visitors and locals alike, whether you want to join a new recreational club, go for a walk, visit a beach or just see what the weather is doing via the webcams we hope you find our new site useful. As part of this we would really appreciate feedback-what do you think, is it good, bad, or are we missing something you think we should include? Please get in touch and let us know, your help is much appreciated.