0 Post a comment Wednesday, 20 June 2018 - Environment by Mike Lewis - South Ceredigion reporter [email protected] PWLL Cam – an area of Aberaeron’s inner harbour cherished by past generations – is nowadays both an embarrassment and a disgrace, according to the town mayor. Cllr Elizabeth Evans says Pwll Cam has become clogged by silt and urgently needs to be dredged.On Friday she met Ceredigion County Council chief executive Eifion Evans to explore ways of how it might be improved.“I’m extremely worried about Pwll Cam which is looking like a wasteland,” Cllr Evans told colleagues. “It’s meant to be the showpiece of Aberaeron, but its appearance is absolutely awful.“To be honest I feel a sense of embarrassment when I see people sitting eating ice creams at the harbourside looking out at it.“Walking round there you hear people commenting on it every day – quite frankly, it’s a disgrace.”Cllr … [Read more...] about Harbour area labelled a silt-clogged disgrace
Environment
Shetland scallop fishery retains eco label despite dredging protests
A scallop fishery in Shetland has retained its coveted eco label after an independent review rejected allegations that it damaged the marine environment. The marine conservation charity Open Seas and the National Trust for Scotland protested that the fishery’s use of dredging gear to harvest scallops caused unjustifiable damage to the seabed and other marine species. They formally objected to a recommendation late last year that the Marine Stewardship Council should again award a marine sustainability mark to the fishery, five years after the scallops were first accredited. After a six-month review process, an independent adjudicator has rejected their complaints and upheld the original decision to renew label, which allows the fishery to charge a premium price for its produce. The Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) said it had worked hard to ensure its scallops fishery was sustainable, and this was supported by scientific evidence. “This is a unique, … [Read more...] about Shetland scallop fishery retains eco label despite dredging protests
Babergh purchases land to link Great Cornard and Sudbury with new footpath
Babergh District Council has completed the purchase of a section of land in Great Cornard, which will connect the village to Sudbury via a footpath on the Stour side.The land was sold to Babergh District Council by the Long Melford and Sudbury Angling Association.To mark the purchase, the site was recently visited by Babergh District Council leader John Ward, deputy leader Jan Osborne and Great Cornard councillors Tony Bavington, Tom Burrows and Mark Newman.It will be used to deliver a footpath that will provide an extension to the existing Cornard Riverside Path, as well as form a pedestrian route from Dovehouse Meadow in Great Cornard to the Cornard Riverside Path.Work on the footpath is expected to commence later this summer.Cllr Ward said: “The purchase of this land, with the co-operation of the Angling Association, is great news.“There has been a real drive for this path from both the community and from councillors across the political spectrum.“We’re now … [Read more...] about Babergh purchases land to link Great Cornard and Sudbury with new footpath
Rivercare volunteers remove bags of litter from River Witham
Rivercare volunteers turned out to give the River Witham a thorough clean up earlier this month.The 22 volunteers collected 13 bags of litter - mainly cans and bottles, a fire extinguisher, two traffic cones, four shopping trolleys, a car battery, a safe and five bikes.The total weight collected was 293.5 kg.Grantham Rivercare was established 14 years ago, and during that time have completed 83 clean ups collecting over eight tonnes of rubbish.Grantham Rivercare leader John Knowles said: "It is difficult to imagine what sort of state the river would be in, if it wasn't for the efforts of the amazing Rivercare team who regularly give up their time to pick up other people's rubbish."It was a great help having Liam and Gavin from the Environment Agency, who joined us as volunteers. Thanks are also due to Dave Atter of SKDC who took all the rubbish away for disposal."The next clean up will be on Saturday August 11.Rivercare is supported by Keep Britain Tidy and Grantham Civic Society and … [Read more...] about Rivercare volunteers remove bags of litter from River Witham
Common seal pup beats the odds to recover after being found abandoned on Norfolk beach
Rumba the seal is recovering well. Picture: Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary Archant A common seal pup discovered among the rocks at Brancaster beach in north Norfolk is recovering well. Found by a resident in May, Rumba, as he’s been named, was underweight and malnourished, weighing just 7kg, after being abandoned at birth. With most common seal pups weighing up to 10kg, this was cause for concern for the staff at Sea Life Hunstanton Sanctuary who rescued Rumba and brought him back to the centre for care. Rumba had been born just a few hours earlier as his umbilical cord was still attached, and his white fur coat intact. A Sea Life expert said that with common seal pups’ white coat usually shedding in the mothers’ womb, it was clear that Rumba had not only been abandoned but also born six weeks premature. They suggested that Rumba’s premature birth was likely due to the mother seal becoming ill or stressed, causing him to be born early and leaving him with a … [Read more...] about Common seal pup beats the odds to recover after being found abandoned on Norfolk beach