Marine Biology Review - Spring 2009

The Section continued to work on proposals for marine reserves, and is currently advocating the use of a national partnership project known as "Finding Sanctuary" whose aim is to secure a healthy and productive future for our seas and coasts, working within the UK Marine Bill and with related schemes around France and Spain. The Section has approached colleagues in Guernsey and there is now a working group who are keen to create a network within the Islands. Although progress here has not moved at a pace that we would wish, the Chief Minister has an interest in the project and is fully aware of the advantages of marine reserves, and is to discuss the issue with the "British Irish Council" whose members have established or are currently planning reserves.

There is a new paperback publication "Channel Island Marine Molluscs" by Section member Paul Chambers, this illustrated work is the most complete list of the 479 species of marine mollusc to have been reported in the Channel Islands and is the culmination of twenty years work on the subject, it contains a wealth of historical, scientific and anecdotal information plus advice on the collection, study and identification of specimens. Paul is also working on a number of lists of local marine life and the Section hopes to engage the general public on assisting with and becoming involved with this project. Already a number of new and under recorded species are coming to light, and the value of recording the more common species should not be underestimated with abundance, or presence/absence as well as physical data of site all being of value, amongst those species of interest that can usually be found in numbers at this time of year are the Sea hare Aplysia punctata whose size and abundance can vary from season to season, and year to year, and are currently very common in sheltered areas; the small green acoel flatworm known as Symsagittifera roscoffensis which can be found in the rivulets of coarse sand especially around Seymour Tower and Green Island; and the appearance of the numerous egg cases of the Greenleaf worm Eulalia lilineata.

Acoel flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis

The Section continues to be consulted on a range of subjects from a variety of bodies and individuals, and the Chairman has recently taken a seat on the "Fisheries and Marine Resources Panel" raising or investigating a number of issues including the exploitation of the shore crab Carcinus maenas, by-catch of birds in nets, and the monitoring and testing of commercial species for toxins. The Section was not consulted on the creation of recent "Biodiversity Action Plans" pertaining to marine life but comments on the Plans will be submitted by the Section. The Chairman did, however, attend an Environment Department meeting on the implementation of the Puffin Action Plan, but it would appear that little is proposed for the coming season other than monitoring the birds. Bearing in mind that the Common Terns at Les Ecrèhous have failed to successfully breed for the last two years it is disappointing to note that no effective precautionary measures have been forthcoming.

In October the States passed the "Coastal Strategy" and in March, Fisheries Officer Greg Morel was appointed as the Marine & Coastal Officer whose remit is to implement the numerous proposals within the Strategy. The Section is liaising with Mr Morel and hope to work on projects especially in the field as amateur observers and recorders. We also hope some of our comments and concerns on marine conservation will be taken on board, and these will also be relevant within the "Island Plan", "Strategic Strategy" and "National Park" proposal and hopefully will not contribute to what at times appears to be a never ending "paper chase".

The Section has recently started a blog to promote the activities, findings and observations of the Section. In time it is hoped this will become a useful record and view of the state of the local marine environment and broaden our links with others from home and abroad. The address is: http://societejersiaise.wordpress.com/

Nicolas Jouault – Chairman