Marine Life & Conservation
A monster haul from River Ness litterpick
A sizeable haul of litter was recently collected from the River Ness when 20+ members of the Inverness Sub Aqua Club completed their litterpick of the river.
Members carried out the underwater sweep along both banks of the river while staff from Highland Council’s TEC Services lifted the litter into two open-backed pick-up transit vans.
Alan McKinnie, Highland Council’s Waste Operation’s Manager with TEC Services said: “The divers did an excellent job, picking litter from the river that our staff simply cannot get to. Although we can sometimes see litter from the river bank, we need this specialist help from Inverness Sub Aqua Club to help us keep the River area clean and tidy. We are very grateful to them for their time and assistance.”
Inverness SAC’s Underwater Litterpick co-ordinator, Ian MacDonald said: “Friday evening was extremely busy on and around the River Ness with many fishermen, and tourists either fishing or walking along the banks. Our divers became a tourist attraction as people (mainly overseas visitors) stopped to watch and photograph us and ask what we were doing.
“Among the items that we found were the usual bottles and cans, and the more unusual things like an electric strimmer, a baby stair gate, traffic cones, temporary road signs and mobile phones.”
The BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 is running until the end of October and there is still plenty of time for you and your club to get involved.
The initiative is not only a great way for you and your fellow members to help tackle the issue of marine litter but can also generate excellent publicity for your club.
You can register for the BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 as a club or as an individual online. You will then be asked to complete at least one Underwater Litterpick dive before 31st October and complete the essential Survey form documenting the rubbish you retrieve.
All survey forms submitted to BSAC HQ will go towards their BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 report and also be sent to the Marine Conservation Society to help in their on-going research into marine debris around the UK.
For more information on the BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 click here.
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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