BeachCare - August 2003 

Our latest newsletter looks at our community outreach programme.

Also included are articles about the Mermaid's Purse Education project, renewable energy, cockle harvesting, Morecambe Bay marine life, European Management Scheme and the Longline project.

Download the newsletter from the link below. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the document - if you haven't got it, use the (yellow) adobe link for a free download. 

Baywatch Newsletter 7 (1,233KB) ~ 8 min download

Offshore Wind - June 2002 

Newsletter 6 looks at the proposed offshore wind farm off Walney Island, and the issues involved. 

Other articles explain the Partnership's charity membership, the cross bay walks leaflet, and the development of a interpretation and marketing strategy for the Bay.  

Baywatch Newsletter 6 (693KB) ~ 6 min download

Bathing Waters -  May 2001 

Newsletter 5 looks into the issues around Bathing Waters and has good news about bathing water quality in Morecambe Bay.  

There are also articles on the Mermaid's Purse education project, offshore wind energy developments, the first adopted beach in Cumbria.  

Baywatch Newsletter 5 (279KB) ~ 3 min download

Biodiversity - February 2001 

Newsletter 4 looks into wildlife, the natural world of Morecambe Bay and the value of biodiversity to all us. 

There are also articles on the regeneration of Barrow, renewable energy, our 10th conference. 

Baywatch Newsletter 4 (264KB) ~ 3 min download

European Marine Site - July 2000 

Newsletter 3 has a special feature on the European marine site for Morecambe Bay.  This is an important plan to look after the wildlife of the Bay. 

Baywatch Newsletter 3 (264KB) ~ 7 min download

Newsletter Two - February 2000

 

"Is Global Warming real?"

Ask a bloke in the pub and they may tell you that the scientists all disagree and no-one really knows.  Ask a secondary school student, or a government scientist and they will emphatically tell you, "Yes, the climate is changing." Proof of this is growing stronger each year.  Globally, 7 out of 10 of the hottest years ever recorded, have been in the last decade.

Call it Climate Change

The term global warming is misleading, because some areas may get colder as long term weather patterns change.  Some predictions suggest more extreme weather with increases in storminess.  Scientists prefer to call this climate change. 

What does it mean?

A wave hits the shore at Morecambe

Worldwide, sea level is rising.  In northwest England though, the land is rising very slowly because of adjustments after the last ice age glaciers melted.  To look at the overall effects of sea level rise and potential increases in storms, MAFF has sponsored a number of studies. 

Shoreline Management Plans

Shoreline Management Plans, sponsored by MAFF, aim to identify long term policies for the coastal defence of our shorelines.   A presentation about the plan for Morecambe Bay will be given on 31 March in Grange – details inside.

What causes it? 

What can I do? Saving energy can help the environment, reduce air pollution and save you money.  Try to walk, bike or bus to work one day a week, or just once in a while.  Turn off heating when you go out and use energy efficient devices when possible.  If we all make small changes, the total improvement can be big.

Climate change is driven by the release of greenhouse gasses, such as when fossil fuels are burnt. 

Thanks to Ron Eckersley, Lancaster City Council and Richard Scott, ITE, Merlewood for help with this article.  Thanks to Ron for the photo.

Find out more about

Greener living · www.cat.org.uk
Climate change · www.nbu.ac.uk/iccuk
Shoreline Management Plans · www.nwcoastline.org
 

Who's Who around Morecambe Bay

In coming newsletters we shall introduce some of the people who work around and use Morecambe Bay.

Cedric Robinson is affectionately known as the Queens Guide – his official title is the Guide to the Kent Sands.

Cedric Robinson MBE, official Guide to the Kent Sands

Every year Cedric, assisted by his nephew Kenneth Hopper, leads thousands of people across the sands, thus maintaining this centuries old tradition.  Most crossings today are fund-raising events for local charities and these help to raise tens of thousands of pounds annually.

A fisherman by calling, Cedric has harvested flukes, flounders, shrimps, cockles and whitebait from the Bay for years.  He has been honoured with many awards and an honourary degree from Lancaster University.  Cedric is held in great affection by all those who meet him.

Cedric will talked about his work on 31 March 2000 in Grange at the Morecambe Bay Standing Conference.

Thanks to ABP and Cedric Robinson for the photos.  You can find out more about Barrow docks at www.abports.co.uk/barrow

Newsletter One - January 1998

 

Morecambe Bay;  Our Bay - It's a Great Bay!

Morecambe Bay is a fabulous place.  It's important for industry, tourism, fishing, shipping, recreation, and is an internationally important wildlife site.  The Morecambe Bay Partnership wants to be sure that these many uses are planned together for a sustainable future. 

Morecambe Bay Partnership;  Your Partnership
A Great Way to Work Together for the Bay!

The Morecambe Bay Partnership is all about bringing people together.  This exciting project helps many different interests work together for the good of the Bay.  We meet regularly as a Standing Conference, open to everyone. 

Working for a Strong Economy and a Healthy Environment

Work began in 1993 with public meetings looking at issues. These were followed by focus groups asked to recommend solutions.  Their conclusions were drawn together into the Morecambe Bay Strategy - published in 1996. In December 1996, Susannah Bleakley was appointed to encourage all concerned to take the Strategy forward.  

Morecambe Bay Standing Conference

The Standing Conference has 150 registered members.  These are representatives from a range of interests, such as sailing, angling and wildfowling clubs, voluntary bodies, fishermen's associations, residents' associations, tourism groups, Parish, District and County Councils, local industries and agencies such as the Environment Agency and English Nature.

At our Standing Conference in October 1997 we had a soap box and informal afternoon workshops looking at six themes: communities, pollution, fishing, tourism, industry and wildlife.  We were very pleased by the enthusiasm shown in the workshops.  These were led by local people, and records made on a flip chart of their discussions. 

The pollution workshop called for more information on water quality that is clear and widely available. Harry Knowles, Furness Enterprise and Captain Green, Associated British Ports Barrow, lead the industry workshop entitled 'Industry and Conservation - forging a balanced partnership or still wriggling as uneasy bedfellows?' This lively workshop agreed that a balanced friendship is possible.

Nick Miller, Furness Fishing Association, took part in the Soap Box, with a call for research into the movement of pollutants in the Irish Sea.

Agenda for Action

Now we are preparing an Agenda for Action to ensure that the Morecambe Bay Strategy is taken forward.  This includes action plans covering a range of topical issues. 

Our partners explain what they are doing about bathing water quality, coastal defence, conservation, fisheries management and other issues. 

The Partnership outlines its own plans for an industry roundtable, a working group to explore heritage and landscape issues and the next Standing Conference.

European Conference June 1997

In June 1997, Morecambe hosted an important European Conference attended by over 180 delegates from 19 countries.  Morecambe was chosen as the venue in recognition of the pioneering work of the Partnership in integrating the needs of conservation with other demands on our coasts.

Angela Eagle, Environment Minister, addressed the Conference, and then made a short trip aboard the Sea Fisheries Committee vessel.  Susannah Bleakley accompanied the Minister during her visit. They discussed the need for co-ordinated research and action to tackle issues like pollution, marine litter and fisheries management in the Irish Sea. 

Morecambe Bay Partnership is

The Morecambe Bay Partnership is a partnership of public, private and voluntary groups working together for the good of the Bay.  It brings people together to encourage work which will make the Morecambe Bay Strategy a reality. 

The Standing Conference guides and influences current priorities as highlighted in the Agenda for Action.  A Management Committee of key interests provides support. 

The Partnership thanks the many groups and individuals who help us.  Any success and progress is a reflection of their support.