Conservation Policy and Evidence Shoresearch Team Day

By Ella Garrud

Living Seas Officer

In July, the Sussex Wildlife Trust Marine Team were joined by the wider Conservation Policy and Evidence department for a Shoresearch survey, to collect vital data, but also as a team building day. The survey took place in the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), specifically in the Education Conservation Area of the MCZ. This area is a No Take Zone, which is protected from direct human disturbance, where no extractive activity can occur at all.

We were lucky to have a morning of beautiful weather, and the day started with a pair of Peregrine Falcons and a Fulmar flying above our heads around the iconic Sussex chalk cliffs. We split into two groups, half of us carrying out a Quadrat Biodiversity survey, and half of us completing a walkover survey of the site. Walkover surveys are exactly as they sound – we walk over the site, recording all species observed on the day. The biodiversity survey collects species abundance and habitat data and is important to help us assess any changes in the ecological community structure over time.

I led the Walkover Survey, teaching our colleagues how to identify different intertidal marine organisms and seaweed species. We found multiple crab species, including a very docile Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber), which is unusual as they are usually very active and defensive animals. The most exciting find of the day was a young kelp (Laminaria sp.) which George Short, our Kelp Recovery Co-ordinator, was very pleased to record as part of our Sussex Kelp Recording Scheme. Anyone can help us record kelp by taking part in the recording scheme – sign up here: https://sussexkelp.org.uk/volunteer

Our other Living Seas Officer Sarah Ward lead the quadrat survey. Their excitement of the day came from finding a tiny Brittle Star (Amphipholis squamata) – an animal related to starfish with five long thin and highly mobile arms.

All in all, it was a great morning out on the shore, spending time with colleagues and recording important data about the health of our intertidal zone.