Pembrokeshire Marine Forum Newsletter

If you have any coastal or marine management news at any level (local, regional, national,
European

etc) that you would like to have forwarded to Forum members please send it to
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> .

Contents

A: Pembrokeshire News

1.Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum

2.Minister Jane Davidson Launches Marine Energy Pembrokeshire website.

3.New Kite surfing guidelines for Newgale

B: National UK News

5.Fishing communities invited to bid for share of EUR4.6 million pot

6.Seafish launch fishing fleet survey

7.Promoting fish sustainability

8.Climate change impacts on the natural environment.

9.The Environment Agency publish The Coastal Handbook

10.Climate Change report sets out impact on British seas

11.Wales "perfectly placed" for emerging marine energy industry

12.Charting Progress 2 report on the state of the UK seas.

13.Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership

14.£15.8m for outdoor and adventure tourism in Wales

15.Good news for walkers as Wales Coast Path opens between Prestatyn and Llandudno

16.West Wales Eco Centre Celebrates 30 years

C: International / EU news

18.Gulf spill impacts on UK prawn prices

19.CFP reform discussed at Ministerial Summit

D: Consultations
20.EU action plan for seabirds:

21.Food for Wales, Food from Wales 2010:2020 - Consultation on a Food Strategy for
Wales

22.Lavernock Point to St Ann's Head - KSG Consultation

23.Marine Policy Statement

24.Marine Climate Smart Working

E: Events / Conferences / Volunteer section

26."SAS Making Beaches Barefoot Friendly" campaign kicks off

27.Marine Conservation Society Jellyfish, Marine Turtles, Basking Shark Survey

28.The Big Butterfly Count

29. Fisheries in Transition

A: Pembrokeshire News

1. Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum - The PCF team have had a busy month with information
stalls at Pembrokeshire Fish Week & Seafair Haven. Those at Fish Week were blessed
with a gloriously sunny day in Milford Haven and record visitor numbers. After a wet start
at Seafair Haven the team soon got their stands dried out and enjoyed a day in Neyland.  
Both days saw many people visit the PCF and Marine Code stands for information.

The Team also held a Geography/Geology Teacher Day with Careers Wales West
discussing GCSE syllabus topic of Coastal Change.  20 teachers from around South West
Wales came to the MHPA offices for talks and presentations from the Port Authority,
National Trust, Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, PCF, Marine Code & Outdoor Charter Group
and Dr Steve Morris from Pembrokeshire College, followed by a field visit to look at coastal
change to Tenby North beach and Amroth led by Sid Howells, Geologist.  

The team was also present at the Coastal and Maritime Careers Information Evening
(hosted by Careers Wales West) promoting the work of the Forum and encouraging new
members to sign up.  Keep an eye out for other events that the Pembrokeshire Coastal
Forum will be doing.

2. Minister Jane Davidson Launches Marine Energy Pembrokeshire website.

The Minister for Environment Sustainability & Housing, Jane Davidson AM launched the
MEP website on July 8th on behalf of the MEP working group. The site has been set up as
a one-stop-shop for developers looking for contacts and information on consenting
requirements, available research and information, and onshore support services.  It also
includes details of projects looking to develop off the county's shores, including Wave
Dragon's wave energy converter, the tidal stream turbines being developed by Tidal
Energy Ltd and e.on/Lunar Energy, Far Offshore Renewables' floating wind turbine and the
wave energy parks being investigated by Marine Energy Ltd.

To read the full story go to : http://www.marineenergypembrokeshire.co.uk/minister-for-

environment-sustainability-housing-jane-davidson-am-launches-mep-website

3. New Kite surfing guidelines for Newgale - do's and don'ts of kitesurfing at Newgale

Go to the link on the PCF website to view poster http://

www.pembrokeshirecoastalforum.org.uk/index.php/news-a-activities/other-news-a-events/
73-new-kitesurf-guidelines-at-newgale-beach

B: National UK News
4.Climate change 'bringing new crops' to South East

Rising temperatures could see lemons and sunflowers being grown as crops in the South
East, a Kent agricultural college has predicted. Hadlow College has designed a garden
which looks at Kent's role as the Garden of England for Hampton Court flower show, which
starts on Tuesday.  Garden designer and former Hadlow student Mandy Buckland created
the garden, called Food 4 Thought.  It includes fruit from Kent's past, present and future.  
Hadlow College said the entry was designed to promote and celebrate Kent's importance
as a food producer.  It features a modern courtyard garden with an outdoor dining table
and ribbons of vertically-grown strawberries.  Crops that have traditionally been grown in
Kent, such as apples and herbs, have been used in the garden.  But on the other side of a
"window of change", visitors will see Mediterranean plants including peaches and
nectarines being grown, highlighting the potential to adapt crops to global warming.  For
the full story with pictures go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/10340866.stm

5. Fishing communities invited to bid for share of EUR4.6 million pot

Fishing communities invited to bid for share of EUR4.6 million funding pot Fishing
communities in England's less populated areas are able to access a

EUR4.6 million fund, with expressions of interest invited from 30 June 2010 by the Marine
Management Organisation (MMO). The Axis 4 European Fisheries Fund project - run by
the MMO in England - has been set up to promote the sustainable development of
fisheries in smaller communities dependent on fishing for employment. Each group must
demonstrate, via a detailed business plan, a clear understanding of the issues and
opportunities facing their industry and how they will promote sustainable fishing in their
area.

Once the bids have been assessed, applicants will move to the second stage of the
process and be invited to form a fisheries local action group (FLAG) for their area. More
information can be found at:
http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/fisheries/grants/eff_axis4.htm

Closing Date: 30 July 2010

6. Seafish launches fishing fleet survey

Seafish is about to carry out an exhaustive study into the current financial state of the
fishing fleet throughout the UK. Survey staff will cover every region of the UK in the next
couple of months, interviewing skippers and vessel owners as part of the study. The
survey also involves collecting financial accounts for fishing vessels across the UK fleet so
that the average performance of each fleet segment can be estimated.

Skippers who would like to take part or find out when survey staff will be in their area
should contact Andy Gray on 0131 524 8642 e-mail [email protected]

To find out more please visit:

http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/13803

7. Promoting fish sustainability

The Prince of Wales, at the first ever Global Summit of The Consumer Goods Forum,
London, has stated that retailers are in an ideal position to promote sustainability caught
fish. The Prince of Wales suggested to senior executives from some of the world's top
manufacturers and retailers that they should use their influence to change the way the
global fishing industry and fishing grounds were managed. He praised some retailers for
insisting that its fish suppliers must be certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship
Council. More information can be found at:

http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/13774

8. Climate change impacts on the natural environment.

The UK's nature conservation agencies have produced a booklet that provides information
on climate change impacts in the marine, terrestrial and freshwater environments.  It
brings together information from published sources to give an overview of the evidence of
climate change impacts on the natural environment. 'Biodiversity and Climate Change - a
summary of impacts in the UK' is available from http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-5145

9. The Environment Agency publishes The Coastal Handbook - a guide for all those who
work on the coast.

http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0610BSUE-e-e.pdf

10. Climate Change report sets out impact on British seas

The UK's seas are experiencing warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, changes in fish
stocks and declines in breeding seabirds as a result of climate change, a report showed
today. According to the annual report for the Government by almost 100 scientists from 40
leading UK organisations, some fish moved northwards by between 50km to 400km
(30-250 miles) over the past 30 years, with coldwater species such as monkfish moving
furthest. Plankton, which underpin the marine food chain, are also shifting, according to
the review of what is happening to our seas and potential future impacts of climate
change. To view the whole story go to: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/
climatechange/7891531/Climate-Change-report-sets-out-impact-on-British-seas.html

11. Wales "perfectly placed" for emerging marine energy industry

"

Wales offers the perfect conditions for the emerging marine energy industry, according to
Welsh environment minister, Jane Davidson.

The minister was speaking ahead of a British-Irish Council summit which is being held in
Guernsey today and tomorrow (June 24-25). The minister will be attending with Welsh first
minister, Carwyn Jones and deputy first minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones.

The Council is due to focus on marine renewables and in particular opportunities for
collaboration and joint working between the British-Irish Council membership to enable the
marine sector to flourish.

The environment minister said: "Wales really does have a lot to offer on marine
renewables.

"Our energy policy statement, 'A Low Carbon Revolution', estimates that Wales has the
potential to produce more than twice as much energy as it currently uses through wholly
renewable sources by 2025, with the largest proportion of this energy coming from marine
generated electricity.

"Our geographical position means that we are perfectly placed for an emerging marine
energy industry as we have some of the best tidal stream resource in the UK, in terms of
accessibility and shelter.

"I am committed to exploiting this tremendous resource in order to mitigate the effects of
climate change and maximise the potential for green jobs and a green economy."

To read the full article: http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco/vie w_item?

listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=4088

12. Charting Progress 2 report on the state of the UK seas.

Charting Progress 2 is a comprehensive report on the state of the UK seas. It has been
published by the UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment community which have over 40
member organisations. The report is based on a robust, peer-reviewed evidence base and
describes progress made since the publication of Charting Progress <http://
chartingprogress.defra.gov.uk/resources>  in 2005. It provides key findings from UK
marine research and monitoring for use by policy makers and others, as we move towards
the UK vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas.

13. Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership

The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) launched its latest annual
report card on 15 July 2010 providing the very latest updates on how climate change is
affecting our seas Almost 100 scientists from 40 leading UK science organisations,
contributed to this peer-reviewed report, which covers 30 marine and coastal topics. The
report includes a new regional seas climate change impacts map, which highlight
important differences in climate change impacts across UK regional seas. These maps
show that whilst many impacts are being seen in southern UK waters, future climate
change will lead to impacts across all UK regional seas. The report also takes a first look
at how the UKCP09 climate projections can aid our understanding of future marine climate
change impacts, and for the first time covers air-sea exchanges of CO2, deep-sea
habitats, water birds and human health.
http://www.mccip.org.uk/annual-report-card.aspx <http://www.mccip.org.uk/annual-report-
card.aspx>

14.£15.8m for outdoor and adventure tourism in Wales

The Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones has announced nearly £16m to create four
tourism centres to provide world class facilities for outdoor and adventure activities across
Wales. The money, from the European Regional Development Fund, local authorities and
other sources, will be used to develop centres of excellence with the highest standard of
facilities that will act as a hub for encouraging more sustainable tourism centred on Wales'
natural environment.  To read the full story go to: http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/tourism/
2010/100715sustainable/;jsessionid=RLv9MGdPtvqD1nDzhksvyHvp1q3Kjf4vXFMznLfND
G0dhLTJP2jT!-601976524?lang=en&dm_i=FO5,7BAG,20G1DL,IAP5,1

15. Good news for walkers as Wales Coast Path opens between Prestatyn and Llandudno
Walkers, cyclists, families and wheel chair users will all enjoy greater access to the
beautiful North Wales Coast after the official opening of a new section of the Wales Coast
Path. The 27 mile stretch of stunning coastal path, which runs from Prestatyn to
Llandudno, has been opened by Environment Minister, Jane Davidson at a ceremony at
the historic site of Capel Sant Trillo in Rhos on Sea.  The path has been developed with
financial support from the Assembly Government and the European Union through the
European Regional Development Fund. To read the full story go to:

http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/environmentandcountryside/2010/100701coastalpath/?
lang=en&status=closed
%25252525252525252525252525252525253Bjsessionid&dm_i=FO5,7BAG,
20G1DL,IAP5,1

16. West Wales Eco Centre Celebrates 30 years

2010 is an auspicious year for the West Wales ECO Centre. This year marks its 30th
anniversary, having been established in 1980 as the Newport and Nevern Energy Group.  
It is also celebrating because, after a very difficult 2009, with funding problems causing
staff cuts, it has been awarded funding from a number of different sources to support its
work.  Despite difficulties last year, the ECO Centre has maintained its momentum in
developing and delivering projects which help people and communities to reduce their
carbon footprint, their contribution to the causes of climate change and to increase their
knowledge of the issues of sustainable development.  Funding this year has come from
the Big Lottery Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, ScottishPower Energy People Trust
and the European Union INTERREG IV C fund.

C: International / EU news
17.US to provide nearly $2bn for two solar energy projects

Nearly $2bn (£1.3bn) in loan guarantees will be given to two companies to kick-start the
US solar energy industry, President Barack Obama has announced.  One of the firms,
Abengoa Solar, says that it is planning to build the largest solar power plant in the world in
Arizona.  Mr Obama said the projects would provide more than 5,000 new jobs.  The
Arizona plant should power 70,000 homes and cut carbon dioxide emissions.  The money
will come from government stimulus funds designed to boost the economy during the
recession.  Outlining the "Solana" project at Gila Bend near Phoenix, Abengoa said it
would have an area of 1,900 acres, using thermal storage-equipped parabolic trough
technology, with 280 MW of power output capacity.  According to the company's website,
1,500 new jobs will be created during the plant's construction with 100 positions for staff to
maintain it.

To view the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/us_and_canada/10500164.stm

or to find out more on Renewable Energy in Pembrokeshire go to  

:www.marineenergypembrokeshire.co.uk

18. Gulf spill impacts on UK prawn prices

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill crisis is beginning to impact on shellfish prices across Europe
and Britain, exactly as predicted by Fishupdate shortly after the disaster first happened in
April. The main issue is with warm water prawns where prices are shooting up by 17 per
cent and more. UK seafood supplier M&J Seafoods says in its monthly report that the leak
has resulted in American seafood buyers looking to South East Asia to replace what has
been lost through federal fishing bans in the Gulf. The other factor in the equation is that
fish farmers are harvesting warm water prawns earlier than normal due to earlier failed
'crops' which means there are less large sized prawns being produced.  Full story at: http://
www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/13859

19. CFP reform discussed at Ministerial Summit

However, any actual decisions on major changes or reform will almost certainly be put on
hold for several months. The main focus of the meeting will be to debate and prepare
ideas which can be put into practice. But future reforms and total allowable catches will
almost certainly be up for discussion. Tuesday's Luxembourg meeting is being labelled as
discussing "Reform of the common market organisation (CMO) for fishery and aquaculture
products". The plan is to reform the CFP by 2012 so it whatever is proposed can be
enacted into law by 2013. A Green paper on reform was published 12 months ago and, so
far, there have been almost 400 responses. Preliminary discussions were instead held at
the European Fisheries Directors' meeting in La Coruña, Spain, in early May and at the
following informal Ministers meeting at nearby Vigo. Apart from general agreement on
abolishing the present fixed quota system and ending the hated practice of discards, there
are already conflicting views among the various nations over what should be implemented.
The Brussels based Seas At Risk Fish group has sent to a letter to fishing ministers
opposing individual transferable rights and basing access to fish on environmentally
sustainable practices. The group has also called an end to overcapacity and subsidies that
encourage over fishing. But it does welcome the Commission's clear commitment to
setting sustainable fishing standards based on a scientific and precautionary approach.

D: Consultations

20. EU action plan for seabirds: Stakeholder input requested The European Commission
intends to develop an EU Action Plan t0 reduce incidental catches of seabirds in fishing
gears. The proposed initiative aims to reduce such catches, namely in long lines and
gillnets, by reducing as much as possible the interaction between seabirds and fishing
gear. The Commission invites all stakeholders and general public to express their views on
the questions identified in the consultation paper, as well as to present their opinions
regarding further actions that could be introduced in a future Commission proposal for an
EU-Plan of Action on Seabirds. For more information visit the consultation website:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/partners/consultations/seabirds/index_en.htm

Closing date: 9 August 2010

21. Food for Wales, Food from Wales 2010:2020 - Consultation on a Food Strategy for
Wales

This consultation seeks your views on the Welsh Assembly Government's proposed food
strategy for Wales. The strategy takes into consideration cross-cutting issues to provide
the basis for an integrated approach to food policy in Wales.  

For all the documentation and a detailed description of the consultation go to: http://
wales.gov.uk/consultations/environmentandcountryside/100706foodstrategywales/?
lang=en

End of consultation: 28 September 2010

22. Lavernock Point to St Ann's Head - KSG Consultation

From 6 September 2010 you will be able to review the Draft Shoreline Management Plan,
and provide us with your comments, at your local library, council offices and on-line.
Comments will need to be provided by 6 Dec 2010.
The Swansea and Carmarthen Bay Coastal Engineering Group (comprising
representatives from coastal local authorities, planning authorities, Environment Agency
Wales, Countryside Council for Wales and other organisations) are working together to
consider the best way to manage the South Wales coast, between Lavernock Point (Vale
of Glamorgan) and St Ann's Head (Pembrokeshire), both now and into the future. The
Shoreline Management Plan which is being developed is a high level, coastal erosion and
flood risk management policy document.

The coast is changing it always has and it always will. Climate change with rising sea
levels will continue to increase the risk of flooding and erosion to the coast, affecting the
places where people live, work and play. The way in which defences and the coast is
managed in future may therefore need to change. The Plan tests the ongoing sustainability
of present defences from a social, environmental and economic perspective using present
knowledge.

Your help is needed to make sure that the Shoreline Management Plan is realistic, suitable
and achievable. The three month public consultation on the Shoreline Management Plan
will start in September 2010 with a series of public exhibitions held at various venues
along the coast (Barry, Porthcawl, Port Talbot, Swansea, Llanelli, Carmarthen, Pendine,
Tenby, Pembroke and Milford Haven).

http://www.southwalescoast.org/

23. Marine Policy Statement

The Marine Policy Statement  (UK) will be the first part of new systems of marine planning
being introduced around the UK2. It will provide the high level policy context within which
Marine Plans will be developed, and set the direction for marine licensing and other
relevant authorisation systems. The Marine Policy Statement will be the overarching policy
framework for the UK marine area.

For the list of consultation documents and who to respond to go to : http://

www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-policy/index.htm

The consultation will close on 13th October 2010

24. Marine Climate Smart Working

Understanding, communicating and celebrating marine adaptation work in the British Isles.
We need your views to help shape the future of marine adaptation!

The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) is expanding its remit to cover
the actions we take in our daily lives to address changes from climate change - adaptation
- through a new approach called 'Marine Climate Smart Working'.

As marine stakeholders, your views are extremely valuable to us and we want to better
understand your adaptation needs through a structured consultation process, which
focuses on you and your organisation, costs of adapting and how we can work together to
achieve shared goals.

On September 28th 2010, we will host the British Isles' first 'Marine Climate Smart
Working' meeting in York. This will be a major opportunity to consider what we think
constitutes a 'smart' approach to climate change adaptation and what 'forms' of advice are
likely to be of most practical benefit to organisations looking to build adaptive capacity.
Responses to the consultation will be presented and discussed at this meeting. By
responding to the consultation, you will also be eligible to become directly involved for your
organisation at the meeting.

Please become involved in the consultation by going to our Marine Climate Smart Working
webpage and completing the reply form. Go to www.mccip.org.uk/csw-consultation
The consultation will open on 15th July 2010, the same day as the launch of our latest
MCCIP annual report card on marine climate change impacts (www.mccip.org.uk/arc).

The consultation will close on 20th August 2010.

E: Events / Conferences / Volunteer section

25.Darwin Center Field Events Summer 2010

25th July - Damsels and Dragonflies at Brynberian with Peter Brown. 11am - 1pm

14th August - Preseli Bluestone Walk from Waldo's Monument to Carn Meini with Sid
Howells

10am - 4pm. Packed lunch required.

Both events are free of charge, numbers are limited.

Please email Marten Lewis for more details: [email protected]

26. SAS Making Beaches Barefoot Friendly campaign kicks off.  

Surfers Against Sewage's (SAS) beach clean crew is joining forces with Barefoot Wines
again this summer for the 'Barefoot Friendly' beach clean tour. We are calling for
volunteers to help us clean beaches at one of 5 beautiful locations around the UK from the
28th July - 1st August. Helping to make sure they are as clean as possible for all to enjoy.

31st July, Pembrokeshire, Newgale Beach (Newgale House Car Park) 3pm - 7pm

The beach cleans will take two hours from 3pm - 5pm at each location. All beach cleaners
will get a free Barefoot/SAS Volunteers t-shirt and, as a thank you for their time, there will
be a free BBQ on the beach, washed down with samples of the Barefoot Wines, giving us
all the chance to reflect on a job well done.

For further information and to confirm that you are attending the clean go to the link below:

http://www.sas.org.uk/email/2010/100708.htm

27. Marine Conservation Society Jellyfish, Marine Turtles, Basking Shark Survey

We are collecting information from the public about basking sharks, marine turtles and
jellyfish in UK and Irish waters. We are also partners with the Seasearch project that uses
volunteer divers to record underwater wildlife.  If you have seen basking sharks, marine
turtles and jellyfish in UK and Irish waters, please click on the image above to report your
sighting online to MCS. If you are interested in finding out more about Seasearch, click on
the Seasearch image above.

Click here to find out more about basking sharks http://www.mcsuk.org/

conservation_in_action/Basking%20sharks, marine turtles http://www.mcsuk.org/
conservation_in_action/Marine%20turtles  and our national Jellyfish Survey http://
www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Wildlife%20protection/Report%20wildlife%20sightings/MCS
%20Jellyfish%20Survey
http://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/wildlife/jellyfishform.jpg

28. The Big Butterfly Count

The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our
environment.

Why count butterflies?

The survey is being launched during 2010 to mark the International Year of Biodiversity.  
Butterflies react very quickly to change in their environment which makes them excellent
biodiversity indicators. Butterfly declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses.

That's why counting butterflies can be described as taking the pulse of nature.

The count will also identify trends in species that will help us plan how to protect butterflies
from extinction as well as understand the effect of climate change on wildlife.

For information on how to join the Big Butterfly Count go to: http://
www.bigbutterflycount.org/about <http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/about>  

29.'Fisheries in Transition'

The Institute of Fisheries Management is organising an International Conference for 2010

which is due to be held at Action Stations in Portsmouth from 19th to 21st October. See
http://www.ifm.org.uk/conference/2010/index.html