Cuttlefish Bone (shell) Hunt

We have been on a hunt for cuttlefish bones on our local beach to help study if climate change is affecting these marvellous animals.

Cuttlefish normally live for 2 years before mating, egg laying and then the adults die. In recent years, because of climate change and ocean warming, it is thought that some cuttlefish are completing their cycle in a year.

By measuring the size of the cuttlefish bones washed up on the beach, scientists can determine if the cuttlefish have spawned after one year or two.

So we have joined many other people measuring cuttlefish bones washed ashore. 

The measurements should be sent to athena@naturebureau.co.uk 

Find out more below

Help Our Kelp

When I was in the USA back in 2014 as a guest of National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) I visited 14 of the National Marine Sanctuaries that are in their care. I had planned to dive on the amazing kelp forests at Monterrey Bay, but stormy seas made it impossible.

Kelp forests were once common along the Sussex coast, off my beach at Shoreham but due to fishing methods, they have been decimated. The kelp supported a wealth of marine life, helped protect the coast from wave action. An amazing project to restore the kelp forest began in March 2021. 

In November 2021, Sussex Kelp Recovery Project hosted the first Sussex Kelp Summit. 

You can find out more about this amazing project on the project website link below.

Rewilding the Sussex seabed | Sussex Kelp Recovery Project

Sussex Bay Project

On 13th June, the Sussex Bay Project was launched, covering 100 miles from Selsey in the west to Camber Sands in the east. My beach at Shoreham by Sea sits roughly in the centre of the Sussex Bay.

This exciting initiative aims to restore local marine ecosystem to support biodiversity, provide clean water, protection from storms and increase carbon capture. You can find out more about this amazing project at Sussex Bay | Investing in Nature Conservation and Shoreline Restoration

A New Adventure

 

Many of you may have followed my original adventures as I travelled around the ocean visiting marine and conservation experts to discover how climate change and other issues may impact my beautiful beach in Shoreham. 

During my travels I met some very inspirational people, came face to face with some amazing wildlife and also witnessed damage caused to the ocean but also witnessed conservation in action. With the help of NOAA, I even had my own superb dive bubble built by Ed Williams, which allowed me to dive on coral reefs and shipwrecks. 

Sadly, like many people, my travels came to an end because of the Covid Pandemic. Even though I could not visit people face to face, I continued to share my story through my blog and zoom.

While people are doing some amazing stuff to help the ocean, there is still much to be done, part of which is raise awareness and understanding of these conservation issues. So I am in the process of planning a new adventure, learn more about the health of the ocean, see some amazing marine life and share what I find out at home and during my travels.