2022 CHASM Event
The CHASM project hosted its first stakeholder network event on 14 June 2022 at Selsey Town Hall, where speakers presented the complex backdrop of change that has coincided with reductions in the coastal crustacean fisheries around Selsey Bill, West Sussex.
Funded by the Faculty of Environment & Life Sciences at University of Southampton, the aim was to bring together stakeholders from around the Manhood Peninsula and from key organisations working in the marine sphere to learn more about the issues and research being undertaken locally.
Wide ranging presentations provided a background to the project and the myriad of potential stressors which might be influencing the wider habitat. The project team presented the initial findings from studies into the local marine environment and a short film, while neighbouring organisations talked about the work they are doing further along the south coast.
Following the presentations we were delighted that a large number of delegates were able to join us on two Solar Boat trips into Chichester Harbour, where live demonstrations provided a hands-on experience of the sampling techniques being used.
It was good to see 55 representatives from 36 organisations taking part. The organisations who attended included Parish councils from the Manhood Peninsula, Selsey fishery, the Environment Agency, Southern Water, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Bognor Regis Fishermen's Association, Sussex Dolphin Project, Monteum Ltd, Sussex IFCA, Coastal Partners, Surfers Against Sewage, Seal Bay, Woodger Trust, Cefas, Chichester Harbour Conservancy, the Universities of Southampton, Brighton and Portsmouth, Southsea SAC, In-Depth Photography, Mulberry-ME, Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group, West Sussex County Council, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council, Chichester District Council, Chichester Canal Trust, and Manhood Peninsula Partnership. Apologies to anyone not mentioned here.
The presentations from the events can be found in the links below:
4_Sex and behaviour changing marine pollutants: Prof Alex Ford, University of Portsmouth
5_CHASM diving: Martin Davies, Southsea SAC and In-Depth Photography
7_Sussex IFCA: Tim Dapling, Sussex IFCA
8_Sussex Seasearch: Sarah Ward, Sussex Wildlife Trust