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Contents

Lobster helps discover the lost lands of the Solent
Pump out the Volume
EcoEnhance
Sandown Bay Seabed Monitoring
Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change
Living with the Sea
On the Edge – LGA Coastal Strategy
Do you know the deriviation of “Solent”?
The Coastal Detective. A View from Langstone Harbour
Underwater Speed Traps Used To Count Salmon
Recent Events in West Sussex
Solent European Marine Sites Update
Solent Water Quality Annual Awards
New Coastlink Publications
Isle of Wight Unitary Development Plan
Don’t Miss the Boat! 3rd International Festival of the Sea
Crossing the Bar - Tennyson
The Wildlife Of Hayling Island
Who’s that Girl?
America’s Cup Jubilee to grace the Solent
Trial Recharge Research
Ukranian Schools Exchange
Book of the Solent
Southampton Waterfront Consultation Process Gets Under Way
Get your research needs publicised
Marine Week 2001 - Celebrate our shore
Coastal Management MSc at Portsmouth
Whatever's Going On At The Solent Forum? A Brief Look At What We Are Up To.

Chairman's Editorial

The Solent Forum recognises the vital importance of conservation and management of the Solent. Our waters are one of Britain’s greatest recreational assets and in Olympic sporting terms we are paramount on the water. Recreational sailors appreciate the close proximity of the natural environment, whether racing or cruising. For many a cruise ship and ferry passenger, the Solent is their first clear view of Britain. First impressions are important. All our efforts, therefore, to conserve, manage, enhance and understand the Solent is time and resources well spent - read on.

Lobster helps discover the lost lands of the Solent

Diver excavation of an 8,500 year old submerged forest in the western Solent is uncovering evidence of Stone Age occupation. The remains of an ancient forest lies at the base of a submerged cliff off Bouldnor, east of Yarmouth. It is only now, 25 years since preliminary investigations recognised the significance of the find, that evidence is being found of human habitation at the site. The first signs were spotted thanks to a resident lobster, who had unearthed worked flint fragments in the course of digging its burrow. The lobster has since disappeared, but its legacy lives on in the discovery of the oldest stratified human occupation site ever found below sea level in British waters. Initiated in 1997 the underwater cliff was adopted as a study area for a LIFE Project instigated by the Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment. Work during the project demonstrated the value of archaeological evidence to predict the nature, scale and pace of coastal change. In 1999 volunteer divers performed a detailed survey of the site under the difficult diving conditions encountered in the Solent. Diving is limited to about 2 hours in every 6, between which times currents can reach almost 3 knots. The survey revealed over 50 worked and burnt flints, which studies suggested were originating from within the cliff. Last year the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology organised an excavation to confirm the existence of stratified material. To date over 300 humanly worked or burnt pieces of Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) flint have been identified. The project is unique in the UK and aims to demonstrate the potential of submerged archaeological landscapes formed when populations were adapting to environmental change and sea level fluctuations during the early Holocene.

For more information contact: Garry Momber & Julie Satchell at the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology. Tel: 02380 - 593290 or e-mail hwtma@soc.soton.ac.uk

Pump out the Volume

UK CEED, in partnership with the Environment Agency, are undertaking two projects in the Solent area that form part of the Safeguard our Solent Campaign. An anti-foulant washdown separation system is to be trialled at MDL’s Hamble Point Marina, designed to reduce the anti-foulant residue entering the water by using a low cost filtration system. Once fully developed the system specification will be made available across the leisure marine industry. New waste facilities are also to be installed at Yarmouth Harbour on the Isle of Wight, similar to those installed at Warsash last year. The use of the Warsash facilities has exceeded expectations with many vessels coming into the river especially to use the sewage pump. It is estimated that the amount of sewage pumped out at the Warsash facility last year, which may otherwise have been discharged in the Solent, equals 13500 gallons.

UK CEED is holding a conference on Anti-foulants and the Environment on 7th June 2001. Please contact Jonathan Selwyn on 01733 311644 or by E-Mail j.Selwyn@ukceed.org for further information.

EcoEnhance

EcoEnhance is a European project studying the economic and social benefits of conserving and enhancing environmentally sensitive coastal assets. There are eight partner regions including the South of England participating in the study which is funded through the EU’s Interreg IIC programme. All of the partner areas have coastlines that are extensively designated for nature, geological and heritage conservation purposes and the project’s aim is to assess how these environmental resources have helped to generate local and regional income and enhance social well-being through improvements to amenity and local community involvement. It is also examining how to increase these social and economic benefits without degrading the environmental assets themselves, for example through appropriate tourism. The study area within the Solent is the River Hamble which is Hampshire’s case study area, although other local areas include Ventnor (Isle of Wight) and Pagham Harbour (West Sussex). To date pilot projects have been carried out which will assist in developing an economic model. Experiences have been shared via an e-discussion group and at 2 international workshops and reported through newsletters and the internet at www.arcmanche.com. The final outcomes of the project - a good practice guide and strategy for common action in spatial development - are now being prepared for launch at a conference to be held on the Isle of Wight in the summer.

Sandown Bay Seabed Monitoring

Emu Environmental Ltd, based on Hayling Island, have recently been applying new techniques for monitoring of the seabed required for the provision of the new sewage outfall off Sandown, Isle of Wight. The long sea outfall is part of Southern Water’s “Seaclean Wight” scheme, which involves the transfer of sewage flows to a single wastewater treatment works at Sandown. Sandown Bay lies within the South Wight Maritime candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). Construction of the outfall involved the excavation of a trench, the placement of the excavated material next to the trench, the installation of the pipe and finally replacement excavated material back into the trench. Emu Environmental Ltd were contracted to set up a number of seabed monitoring sites at various positions throughout Sandown Bay. The impacts on the ecology of these sites were then monitored using novel ‘carpet tile’ sediment traps, photomosaic recording and in situ species recording. Results from the monitoring show deposition of the sediment disturbed by the dredging activity rarely extended outside of the immediate area of the outfall. The photomosaic analysis indicated that even where sediment deposition had occurred, no impacts on the ecological functioning of the system were evident. Ecological studies to monitor the recolonisation of the area in the direct line of, and immediately adjacent to, the outfall are ongoing.

For further details please contact Emu Environmental Ltd. Tel:023 92636800. (The views expressed are not necessarily those of Southern Water Services).

Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change

SCOPAC’s conference this year, ‘Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change’ will provide an opportunity to launch the research project of the same title which is being undertaken by Halcrow Maritime in association with the Universities of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Portsmouth, on behalf of SCOPAC. The conference will be held on September 14th at the Botleigh Grange Hotel. The Halcrow study will aim to provide practical guidance and advice on what measures should be implemented to prepare for climate change over the next 80 years for the local authorities along SCOPAC’s 400km coastline. It will assess the likely impacts of a range of possible climate change scenarios; recommend actions to address potential problems utilising monitoring techniques, improve understanding of coastal dynamics and processes, and consider the impacts on the natural environment. Dr M McKenzie-Hedger, Head of the UK Climate Impacts Programme will be making the key note address to the conference followed by a presentation on the Halcrow research project and a series of case studies. Registration fees cover the attendance at the Seminar, bound volume of Seminar Proceedings, teas/coffees and lunch. Registration fees will be charged at £55 + VAT for SCOPAC members, £95 + VAT for other delegates.

For more details contact Barbara Herbert Tel: 01983 - 823282 E-Mail: barbara.herbert@iow.gov.uk

Living with the Sea

The coastline is a constantly changing environment and one which man has attempted to tame and manipulate to control the flooding of areas deemed valuable. But this controlling tendency is often not the best solution because it prevents the coastline from operating naturally. “Living with the Sea” promotes working with nature to provide sustainable solutions for coastal defence and habitat conservation. It is a four-year European Commission LIFE Nature funded project, running from November 1999 to December 2003, in partnership with English Nature, the Environment Agency, the Natural Environment Research Council, and MAFF. It focuses on areas in England where research has established that significant habitat change to Natura 2000 sites is expected to occur in the next 50 years.

Two of the principal elements of the project involve the development of a model for the production of Coastal Habitat Management Plans (CHaMPs), and the production of 6 pilot ChaMPs on a number of dynamic coastlines, including the West Sussex and Hampshire coast. CHaMPs provide a framework for managing European or Ramsar sites located on or adjacent to dynamic coastlines and ensure future SMP’s and flood and coastal defence strategies comply with the Habitats and Birds Directives. They offer a long-term strategic view on the balance of habitat losses and gains likely to occur in response to coastal squeeze. They also identify the new habitats that need to be created to offset losses and the flood and coastal defence works required to maintain protected habitats.

The Project is therefore instrumental to the future management of the Solent as one of the pilot CHaMPs covers the area from Pagham Harbour in the east to Christchurch Bay in the west. This area is of high conservation value as it contains a number of European designations and is home to a variety of habitats including mudflat, salt marsh, wet grassland, and coastal lagoon, and supports species such as Roseat Tern and Black-tailed Godwit. It is therefore vital that the future management of the Solent makes provision for the conservation of these valuable sites and this project seeks to do this. The production of the Solent CHaMP will take place between May and December 2001 and the CHaMP manager for the contract consortium is Robert Perry who is based at the University of Portsmouth.

On the Edge – The Coastal Strategy

The Local Government Association has produced a strategy to develop a vision and priorities for one of England’s most important assets – the coast. The main aim of the strategy is “to establish improved governance, management and community well-being to ensure that the UK has the best managed coast in Europe, and to identify appropriate and sustainable funding strategies to support this aim”. The document was prepared by officers of the LGA’s Special Interest Group on Coastal Issues (known as the Coastal SIG). The Strategy contains recommendations for the European Union, national government, the regions and local government. Coastal SIG members have already held useful meetings at EU and UK government levels, and meetings will be held at sub-regional and local levels to explore ways of implementing the Strategy.

See the LGA Coastal Strategy - On the Edge

Do you know the deriviation of “Solent”?

According to Coakes (Place names of Hampshire), its meaning is uncertain but of great age, possibly of Indo-European origin (similar names being found in the Med/Africa area).

Historical variations include: 890 A.D. Solvente, 948 A.D. Solentan, 1395 A.D. Le Soland

If you know more let us know at solentforum@hants.gov.uk

The Coastal Detective. A View from Langstone Harbour

This new feature, which we hope to run in each issue, looks at some of the wildlife activity you can expect to see around the Solent. This issue our thanks goes to Ben Sampson, Assistant Harbour Master (Environment), Langstone Harbour, who updates us on the flora and fauna around Langstone Harbour in May.

Little terns have started to arrive back from their wintering grounds and have been seen checking out the nesting sites on Baker’s Island and the lagoon in the oyster beds at Stoke Common. Mediterranean gulls are also preparing to nest in the RSPB reserve, which in recent years has become the largest breeding colony in Britain. Although you have to pick them out from among the far more numerous black-headed gulls, their paler appearance, blacker head and large red bill make this quite easy with practice. Scurvy grass is flowering at the moment, providing a white carpet around the edge of the Harbour’s saltmarsh. Shingle banks such as Gunner Point will soon be brightened-up by specialist plants such as thrift and sea campion, the rare little robin by late May and yellow-horned poppy and sea holly later in the summer. Please note: At present (May) Southmoor and Farlington Marshes must still remain out of bounds under foot and mouth restrictions.

Underwater Speed Traps Used To Count Salmon

Methods used to catch speeding motorists are being employed by the Environment Agency in the fight to put the brakes on the decline of the Atlantic Salmon returning to Hampshire’s chalk rivers via the Solent. Speed trap cameras take digital photographs whilst the fish are swimming up river to provide fisheries scientists with accurate data on the numbers of mature and endangered Atlantic Salmon. The counters work by detecting the change in electrical resistance in the water when a fish swims through a fish pass. This triggers a digital camera to take a photo of the individual fish and continuous time-lapse video is also used to validate the counter and act as a backup. This allows accurate identification of the species of fish; even an adipose fin clip can be detected, which is a tiny personalised ‘number-plate’ of hatchery origin fish. The populations of Salmon in Hampshire’s chalk-streams have declined dramatically in recent decades. “By providing this vital data the Environment Agency can develop effective management and rehabilitation strategies to conserve the Atlantic Salmon which is such a central part of Hampshire’s natural heritage,” said Fisheries Officer D-J Gent.

Recent Events in West Sussex

The West Sussex Coastal Liaison Group met in April and received presentations on the work of the Sussex Sea Fisheries Committee; Sport England’s approach to coastal and water recreation ; the recent flooding incidents and the future approach of the Environment Agency to flood risk mapping, flood warning and flood defences.

A group of Dutch planners/engineers and other specialists (the Dutch Institute for Spatial Planning and Housing – NIROV) held a workshop near Selsey to examine how they might apply Dutch approaches to the planning and management of that coastline. The workshop was part-sponsored by a number of local bodies and a report on the results will be published in July.

The much awaited Pagham Harbour to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy has been approved by the Environment Agency and Chichester District Council and submitted to MAFF. The strategy was the subject of public exhibitions. Further studies are to be undertaken of the East Head area.

Solent European Marine Sites Update

Rachael Bayliss, the SEMS project officer came into post in November last year. Her role is to facilitate the production of the management scheme for the Solent European Marine Sites (SEMS). English Nature produced their draft guidance under Regulation 33 (Conservation Objectives and operations that are likely to damage the site) last November. The consultation on the guidance is now complete and the revised version will be available in May.

The relevant authorities, who are responsible for ensuring that their activities do not damage the interest features of the site, have set up a Management Group to oversee the production of the management scheme, using English Nature’s guidance as a starting point for identifying damaging activities. In addition, a Strategic Advisory Group has been set up to advise the Management Group. This group includes representative stakeholders such as user groups and voluntary conservation bodies.

Work is now under way to define a process for producing the plan. The approach, which is currently under discussion with the relevant authorities, will be to consider activities occurring in the site and to determine whether they have a damaging effect on the interest features for which the SPAs and SACs have been designated. This will be achieved by considering activities in the various ‘clusters’ that make up the site. A Foundation Document will be produced by the end of the year which will outline the responsibilities and activities to be considered further in the management scheme process.

For more info contact: Rachael Bayliss, Tel: 01962-846925, E-mail: sems@hants.gov.uk

Solent Water Quality Annual Awards

Havant Borough Council were the hosts for the recent annual Solent Water Quality Conference held on Hayling Island. A range of presentations including radioactivity along the south coast, Surfers Against Sewage and the improvements made to seawater quality, the Environment Agency’s recreational water strategy, were well received by 70 delegates.

Award Winners

For more information regarding the awards or the conference please contact Rob Crighton, Secretary of the Solent Water Quality Conference (Tel: 023 80832322)

New Coastlink Publications

Three new coastal zone management publications are now available from Coastlink:

The documents can be obtained from: Newcastle 2000, Newcastle Centre, Central Promenade, Newcastle, Co Down, BT33 0AA, UK Tel: 28437 25463

Isle of Wight Unitary Development Plan

The Isle of Wight Council have now considered objections to modifications to the IW deposit draft Unitary Development Plan arising from the Inspector’s report of the Public Inquiry. On 11 April the Isle of Wight Council resolved their intention to adopt the UDP without further modification.

Don’t Miss the Boat! 3rd International Festival of the Sea

In 1998 HM Naval Base, within Portsmouth Harbour, hosted the 2nd International Festival of the Sea. This summer, the 4-day attraction returns to the same venue for the 3rd Event of this kind. Those who went to the last Festival will know what a memorable experience this is but may like to be reminded, whilst for those who didn’t, here is a chance to find out what you won’t want to miss this time.

This year, we have a Solent Forum Pavilion where you can visit some of our member organisations and view microscopic under-sea life on a large TV screen. (Fun for kids of all ages). We look forward to seeing you there!

Other attractions include:

The World’s Greatest Tall Ships Largest gathering of Royal Navy ships Enormous Model Boat Display Maritime exhibitions, craftsmen & demonstrations A Georgian Street Market with a cast of 150+ characters Thousands of musicians and entertainers Refreshment areas, offering places to eat, drink and relax HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose

Date : August 24 – 27 2001 Gates Open 10.00am, entertainment finishes at 10.00pm, Gates Close 11.00pm

Advance Tickets and Information 08705 50 50 40 or look at www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Tickets will also be available on the day.

CROSSING THE BAR, ALFRED LORD TENNYSON (1809-1883) (First Published: 1889)

Crossing the Bar was written by Tennyson in 20 minutes on the back of an old envelope whilst crossing the Solent from Lymington. He asked that the poem be placed at the end of all future editions of his poetry. A cross dedicated to Tennyson can be seen occupying the top of the chalk downs between Freshwater Bay and the Needles. Tennyson used to walk this down daily after he moved into nearby Farringford House. The hill formed part of the Farringford Estate and after Tennyson’s death his son left the down to the National Trust.  Perhaps the biggest monument to the poet is common practice of naming of the hill Tennyson Down.  The cross (pictured) can be seen by sailors approaching the western entrance to the Solent from the southern side of the Isle of Wight.

The Wildlife Of Hayling Island

A comprehensive and well illustrated 134-pages long guide to the varied habitats and species of Hayling Island has been written by Pete Durnell (a Hampshire County Council Ranger on the island since 1988) and illustrated by John Walters. As well as describing the saltmarsh, mudflats, shingle, sand dunes and ancient grasslands found on the island, the guide has species lists and a useful section on where to see wildlife.

‘The Wildlife of Hayling Island’ can be obtained from Pete Durnell on 02392-476411.

Who’s that Girl?

A host of new coastal management posts for the Solent have recently been filled and its the girls that have been successful. Here’s who’s new. (Apologies to anyone we have missed.)

America’s Cup Jubilee to grace the Solent

The 150th Jubilee of the America’s Cup is being celebrated this summer in the Solent. Some of world’s finest yachts, past and present, will be gracing the Solent in a truly remarkable show of yachting history not to be missed. From the beautiful ‘J’ boats to the biggest gathering ever of international racing 12 metre boats Cowes will be the centre of attention from 19th to 25th August when the racing takes place. A giant yacht transporter is bringing many US based boats across the channel and the Black Watch, a 760 passenger cruise liner, will be moored off Cowes as a floating hotel for the week. Three of the famous ‘J’ class boats will be coming home as they were built in the Camper & Nicholson Yard in Gosport.

For more information go to www.americascupjubilee.com

Trial Recharge Research

ABP Research & Consultancy, on behalf of ABP Southampton, have conducted a trial recharge experiment on the Hythe to Cadland foreshore to test the feasibility and technique of placing maintenance dredge material onto the foreshore. This experiment resulted from a condition of consent for the deepening of the main channel in Southampton Water in 1996/97, which required ABP Southampton to work in collaboration with English Nature to design and promote an intertidal recharge experiment.

The experiment reflects concerns over the removal of sediment from the estuarial system through maintenance dredging. Conservation bodies and MAFF were keen to explore ways of retaining this material within the system. If a recharge technique could be established and tested, this could offer the potential for managing the estuary in a more sustainable way. Results from this small scale trial will be useful in calibrating and validating predictive modelling tools aimed at testing potential recharge schemes.

Ukranian Schools Exchange

Jane Taussik, at the University of Portsmouth, is currently in the process of assessing whether there are schools in UK which would like to correspond with Ukrainian counterparts on nature conservation and environmental issues. Exchange would be in English, first by post and, later, by e-mail. Students at one of the schools involved study ecological issues in the Black Sea, take water samples for chemical and biological analysis and have reported their findings to a scientific academy. They are also involved in cleaning up the coast and have many different sorts of competitions about the environment.

If any school or person is interested in participating, they should contact Jane Taussik on 023 9247 2426 or at jane@taussik.u-net.com.

Book of the Solent

A new publication edited by Maldwin Drummond (Solent Forum Chairman) and Robin McInnes (Technical Chairman of the SCOPAC Officers Working Group) detailing the fascinating history and development of the Solent from its formation to the present day is now available.

Published in large format style and containing many colour illustrations within its 200 plus pages this publication captures the Solent over the years. A deluxe ‘subscribers’ edition is available for £32 or the standard hardback edition can be purchased for £26. All of the proceeds will be shared between the Solent Forum and SCOPAC ensuring the Solent will benefit from this excellent hand-finished tome. All subscribers will get their name published.

To order a copy call 01983 854865 between 6pm-10pm any evening or weekends between 10am-8pm.

Southampton Waterfront Consultation Process Gets Under Way

Public consultation for the development proposals for the Royal Quay Waterfront, Southampton will end on May 31, 2001. The development, which will reclaim about 47 acres of waterfront land, will provide an extension of Mayflower Park, additional public access along the waterfront, and substantial commercial and residential development. The three parties: Associated British Ports (ABP), the Crown Estate and the City Council, who have an interest in the area have jointly commissioned the development brief.

Following consultation a developer will be appointed by the end of the end of this year. A planning application would be expected during 2002 and, depending on the length of the planning process, work could start between 2003 and mid 2005 and expected to finish in 2010.

Comments on the proposals should go to Richard Smith/Claire Betteridge, City Development, Southampton City Council, 3rd Floor, Marland House, Civic Centre Road, Southampton, SO14 7LT, tel 02380 832588/02380 834489, fax 02380 832962, minicom 02380 834063 and e-mail r.smith@southampton.gov.uk or c.betteridge@southampton.gov.uk

Get your research needs publicised

The Solent Forum is currently compiling a list of ‘real world’ research needs for the Solent. If you have a coastal or marine issue that requires an MSc or PhD researcher let us know here at the Solent Forum. Any requests we receive will be posted on our web site (www.solentforum.hants.org.uk). We have had assurances from Southampton Oceanography Centre, University of Portsmouth and the Southampton Institute that this will be a valuable tool in linking students to the real world.

For another copy of the pro-forma, or an electronic copy or just for more info please call us on 01962 - 846027 or e-mail solentforum@hants.gov.uk.

The Solent Forum will provide this service without bias to members on a strictly non-commercial basis.

Marine Week 2001 - Celebrate our shore

August 12th - 19th is South East Marine Week. Over 50 events are being held to raise awareness of the marine world on our doorstep and to celebrate our magnificent shores and habitats. Organised by the Wildlife Trust in the SE several events are being held in the Solent area (see the events diary on page 5 or take a peek at our web site). The Solent Forum is pleased to part sponsor this event and we are also holding an invitational event for youngsters at the Portsmouth Sea Life Centre in conjunction with the Environment Agency.

If you want to get involved with the fun or find out more about what’s going on call Lisa Browning at the Wildlife Trust on 02380 613636, or e-mail LisaB@hwt.org.uk.

Coastal Management MSc at Portsmouth

Ever thought about gaining a higher qualification related to coastal zone management? The Masters programme in Coastal and Marine Resource Management (CMRM) at the University of Portsmouth introduces students to a range of management concepts and techniques. The course, which can be undertaken on a full time, part time or single unit basis, combines discussion of theory with analysis of case studies. While it concentrates on coastal and marine environments and issues, policies and management regimes, the concepts and techniques explored have practical application to a wide range of environmental resource contexts.

The course is recruiting now for October 2001.

For further information, look on the University’s web site: port.ac.uk or contact The Postgraduate Admissions Officer on 023 9284 2421 or pgrad@envf.port.ac.uk.

Whatever's Going On At The Solent Forum? A Brief Look AT What We Are Up To.

Access and Environment Initiative The Stategic Guidance for the Solent, published in 1997, acknowledged that access around the Solent was generally good it could be improved. Furthermore, it noted that, to date, there was no comprehensive strategy for the Solent coast, which meant that investment is often piecemeal and untargeted. The aim of this initiative is to produce such a strategy. This project will be carried out over the summer months, beginning with an assessment of the Solent coast as it is now and followed by wide consultation, with a view to producing a recommedation report to be used as a guidance document for the Strategy in the Auturmn. All enquiries regarding this initiative should be made to Tracey Hewett, Assistant Solent Forum Officer: 01962 845012.

Marine Consents Manual Confused over what licences you may need to carry out work in the coastal zone? Flummoxed over the fact that you may need a consent to carry out your marine activitty? With the help of the Isle of Wight Council, Hamble Harbour Authority and the Environment Agency we are putting together a manual setting out in laymans terms what licences and consents you need to operate in the Solent. So, whether it’s installing a new jetty, discharging waste water, dredging a new channel etc this book will cover the complex regulatory regime that you work under. It won’t guarantee a successful application but it will tell you what licences you need, who to go to, what the costs will be and how long the licence may take to be granted. A final product is expected at the end of 2001 and we will update you in our next copy of Solent News on our progress.

Solent Forum GIS Inventory Many groups and organisations hold spatial datasets that are relevant to the Solent. Knowing who holds what data is often difficult to determine and, as such, restricts the planning and management of the coastal zone. The Solent Forum will be working towards a GIS Inventory, to help direct users to the available datasets, and reduce the information chasing that can occur. The aim is to create and maintain a database of the location of relevant datasets for the Solent, together with their accessibility and other factors. Such a database will act as a signposting facility and, it is hoped, will also facilitate data exchange amongst members.

State of the Solent Report Over the past few months we have been busy collecting information regarding the health and use of the Solent. At present no single publication gives headline information on the varied uses of the Solent and outlines trends in a simple fashion. This publication, due out this summer, will set out a range of data over the 1990-2000 period; from the quality of our bathing waters to numbers of ferries plying the Solent’s Waters and much in between. The book will be the first step in determining a set of robust coastal indicator data for the future. The publication will be handed out free to members and a small cover charge, to cover costs, will be charged for non members. If you are a non-member and would like a copy please let us know.

And finally......A big thank you to those people I have worked with during my short time here at the Solent Forum. I hope this is an informative and enjoyable issue of the News and I wish Maldwin, Kate, Tracey and the Forum every success for the future. (Paul Salmon, Solent Forum Officer)