A real live project!

Although there was no trumpet fanfare or champagne to celebrate the occasion, Finding Sanctuary is now a live project. This self-conferred status follows our first regional MPA workshop on the 25th April, a number of funding successes and establishment of our MPA planning team. Working alongside many different people and organisations, it has taken a couple of years to think carefully about how we want to plan our network of sites and ensure that we can successfully integrate conservation objectives and the guidance and opinions of local stakeholders. But we are now confident in our approach and ready to start the important task of gathering data and connecting to stakeholders.

Of course, the advantage of not having a high-profile launch is that it will enable Finding Sanctuary to build up steam slowly, rather than feeling burdened with the weight of expectation too early on. The development of an MPA network that has strong regional stakeholder support and a solid understanding of the underlying ecology and physical processes will take a number of years. However, this long-term focus will ensure that the final output will have much greater strength and credibility.

The MPA planning team is now established and will include an additional Geographical Information System (GIS) specialist by September this year. As the next step, we are now concentrating on establishing a strong project liaison team that can develop connections with stakeholders across the region. With funding just secured from FIFG (Financial Instrument for fisheries Guidance) and Defra Fisheries Challenge Fund we plan to begin this work this summer.

Those of you who keep a close eye out for the Finding Sanctuary newsletters may have noticed the absence of our April Newsletter. Regular, clear communications are an important part of the project and we will endeavour in future to improve the reliability of our newsletters.

Marine Exchange Event

Finding Sanctuary is very keen to ensure wide engagement from people who may not see themselves directly as stakeholders or normally take an interest in marine life and the sea. A strong education and awareness strategy will aim to reinforce the connections between people and the sea, highlight the value of a healthy marine environment and encourage interest and participation in MPA planning.

The Education Exchange event on the 28th March brought together some of the key organisations involved in marine education in the region. The South West has a rich variety of seashore centres, aquariums and outreach programmes for all age groups. There are also many resources and education packs that have been developed to help raise awareness and understanding. One of the main objectives of the day was to enable us all to gain a clearer understanding of what marine education work is being done at the moment and how it could be better linked and resourced.

It was a bubbling and busy day, bringing together a very select audience to meet and talk about their work and ideas. Many brought along displays and information about their work, including a giant fish and rockpool made by North Devon schoolchildren.

Regional Stakeholder Workshop

Over 110 people gathered at the Sandy Park conference centre on April 25th, for a day-long workshop focusing on MPAs and the Finding Sanctuary approach to site selection. The day was launched with a welcome from Janette Ward, the Chair of the Finding Sanctuary Partnership and Natural England’s Regional Director. The event was organised and managed for us with considerable success by Diana Pound of Dialogue Matters, with the help of a number of newly trained facilitators.

The principal aim of the event was for us to hear the thoughts of different people on MPAs as a general concept for the South West, as well as impressions on the Finding Sanctuary Approach to site selection. The meeting was also an important step towards identifying the organisations that should be part of the Finding Sanctuary Steering Group.

The thoughts of all delegates were captured through flip chart and post-it sessions. These represent very important indicators for us on how people view MPAs and the opportunities or threats that they may bring.

Project Board

We are pleased to welcome the RSPB and the National Trust to the Project Board. Both of these organisations have been closely involved in the development of the project over the last two years and this step has now formalised their involvement and commitment for the future. Both organisations have strong public support, which we hope will build wider interest in MPAs, and their importance for the  protection and health of our marine environment.  Helen Booker, Senior Conservation Officer at the RSPB South West office in Exeter encapsulated their interest in the project: ‘The RSPB strongly supports the concept of Marine Protected Areas and looks forward to inputting into the Finding Sanctuary Project, an exciting initiative that offers an opportunity to test a process of site identification.’





Quarterly quote

"I have seen Marine Protected Areas in several countries and the most successful are those that have strong support from surrounding communities.  Finding Sanctuary is providing an opportunity for individuals and organisations in the South West to become closely involved in the planning of potential sites.  I hope people grab this chance with both hands and help to ensure the future sustainability of our marine resources.” (Kate Humble, BBC Springwatch and Natural History presenter)

We are now recruiting two Project Liaison Officer posts. Please see the link below for details and forward it to anyone who might be interested.

http://www.finding-sanctuary.org/opportunities.php