Coastwatch is reporting cleaner coasts but “major” losses in shore life on the east coast during its autumn survey.
The NGO is appealing for more volunteers to complete its survey which ends on October 20th.
So far survey results for nearly 200 survey units have been submitted, it says, and a sneak scan through them suggests nitrates in streams are well down, seagrass is doing well and there is less litter.
Washed Ashore – Plastic bottles, rope and other discarded materials collected on an Irish beach. Coastwatch's autumn survey suggests an overall reduction in coastal litter.
The biodiversity picture on the Irish east coast is of “high concern”, it says.
Karin Dubsky, Coastwatch coordinator said that “while the few west coast sites for which data was submitted appear to be full of amazing life, some east coast sites are bare like we have never seen before.”
Blue-Rayed Discovery – Blue-rayed limpets recorded in Clare highlight the rich marine biodiversity found by Coastwatch volunteers along Ireland’s west coast, contrasting with reported losses of shore life on the east coast. Photo: Jane Kelleher
Last year's Coastwatch autumn survey recorded encouraging signs of biodiversity at some locations, including barnacles, mussel spat and dog whelks near Courtown, Co Wexford.
More recently, citizen scientists mapped 100 seagrass beds around the Irish coast, highlighting the continuing importance of volunteer surveys in monitoring changes to coastal habitats.
Rusting Remains – A deteriorating metal wreck on the shoreline provides a reminder of the varied debris encountered along Ireland's coast.
“Surveyors report that there are far less mussels, sea anemones, live crabs and sand masons on sites where they used to be found,”she said.
Shore Life – Barnacles on a rocky shore in Galway, where Coastwatch volunteers have recorded marine life in contrast to reported biodiversity losses on the east coast. Photo: Siobhan Kennedy
Gemma Hooper Jones - who has surveyed in Rogerstown estuary with her family and with sea scouts for years - told Coastwatch that a whole mussel bed had gone in the Rogerstown estuary when they went to check for spat in the old mussel bed on the “island”.
Training and group survey events have been organised by Coastwatch regional coordinators who have survey materials, which can also be downloaded, and water test kits. Newcomers are welcome and the contact list is here
