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Irish Whale and Dolphin Group are providing a one day training course on Identification of whales, dolphins and porpoise in Irish waters on Saturday 21st June 9.30 to 17.00 at County Antrim Yacht Club in Whitehead. Cost is £30 or £20 for IWDG members and students. For details contact Ian Enlander ian.enlander@iwdg.ie

RYA NI Environmental Representative

Maeve Bell is currently representing the RYA NI on the National Offshore and Cruising Consultative Panel, on the Coastal and Marine Forum set up by EHS, and on the Strangford Lough Management Advisory Committee as well as doing a bit to promote the Green Blue Initiative. If you should have any questions or queries please forward them on to the RYA NI office and we will endeavour to help. ryani@btconnect.com

The Green Blue

If you are in the marine business, enjoy boating or are a watersports enthusiast, the Green Blue has practical advice and information to help you think and act in an environmentally conscious way. Inland or coastal, individual or boating business, there is something here for you.

By taking a few simple steps, you can keep future costs down and sustain high quality water and local environments. Backed by the British Marine Federation and the Royal Yachting Association, The Green Blue is testing out practical projects, conducting research and providing advice, to help recreational boating go green.

The Green Blue Website www.thegreenblue.org.uk

WiSe Accredited Wildlife Safe Operator Scheme

Web site www.wisescheme.org

The WiSe scheme was set up to deliver training and accreditation for operators of registered passenger and charter vessels who wish to view marine wildlife.

There is a proposed WiSe Scheme course coming to Northern Ireland.

WiSe have worked with the Green Blue for several years and share many common objectives. For example, education is critical to achieving best practice at all levels. The view is that the courses is not just for 'wildlife watching' vessels, but also any vessel (yacht, pwc, kayak etc) who may come into regular contact with wildlife. T There have been Yachtmasters, kayak club team leaders, dive boat skippers along on recent courses and all seemed to feel that they gained a lot for their attendance. They also view such individuals as “ambassadors” for wildlife, not just WiSe. Embedding such people in local areas can do more good in simple and subtle ways sometimes. So, they are very keen to encourage a broad range of interests to attend.

During their visit, they shall also be training the next generation of WiSe instructors, who will be local people with suitable experience.

If you are interested or know of anyone who would be interested in the course please contact the RYA NI office at ryani@btconnect.com or phone 28 90 383812

Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Workshop – 21^st February 2008

‘Increasing public understanding of the Marine Environment’

On Thursday 21^st February, EHS will be running a second coastal and marine biodiversity workshop, following on from the workshop held at Crawfordsburn Country Park in December 2006. This time, the theme will be ‘increasing public understanding of the marine environment’.

The broad aim of the workshop will be to explore ideas and opportunities for improving public understanding of the coast, resulting in a coordinated effort by all stakeholders around World Ocean's Day 2008, and beyond. Staff operating at a local level on the coast within EHS, NGOs, local authorities, museums and the education sector will be drawn together for this facilitated workshop

The workshop facilitator will be Dr Lissa Goodwin, a marine biologist with extensive experience of creating awareness for our oceans, seas and coasts.

Although there will be several short presentations, the emphasis will be on workshop participation leading to agreement on the scope of a World Oceans' Day event, with real and practical outcomes in terms of improved public awareness. Facilitated groups will focus on the themes of:

·        Coordination between education providers

·        Audiences

·        Messages

·        Influencing decision makers

·        Formal education, teachers and schools

·        Public participation

·        Building ownership and responsibility; and

·        Media.

There is scope for EHS to promote a coordinated event on behalf of all contributing stakeholders, including promotion within the April 2008 edition of the EHS Coast magazine:            www.ehsni.gov.uk/ehs_coast_magazine

The findings of the workshop shall also be published for the benefit of all interested within the EHS Coast web pages.

If you are involved in outreach work and wish to attend this free workshop, please confirm this with me by Friday 14^th December. Feel free to circulate to anyone else who may be interested.

As this will be a 1 day workshop, a buffet lunch will be provided for all attending.

Gary Burrows

Coastal and Marine Communications Officer

Biodiversity Unit - Natural Heritage

Environment and Heritage Service

028 9054 6688

View the EHS 'Coast' web pages at www.ehsni.gov.uk/coast

A relevant new EU report outlining the main impacts of recreational boating on the marine environment:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/87na2.pdf

The authors conclude that "for most of these impacts, increasing users' consciousness and awareness about the appropriate behaviours is key for minimising the environmental impact".

This reinforces the value of communication work with coastal communities on the issue.

Gary Burrows