Survey of the kelp beds around Budleigh Salterton and Branscombe.
Notice is hereby given of the Environment Agency’s intention to conduct scientific
kelp surveys around Budleigh Salterton and Branscombe. These surveys will take
place between 6th and 9th September 2024. Please see images below which display
the sampling areas.
Figure 1: The Budleigh Salterton kelp bed.
Figure 2: The Branscombe kelp bed.
The Environment Agency are provisionally planning to start the survey in early
September and hope to complete it within 1 week, although these dates are subject
to change due to other factors such as bad weather. The aim of their work is to map
out the extent of the kelp beds in the proposed areas. The survey will involve both
camera-drops and echosounder monitoring. Using a camera attached to a 50m
cable, photographs will be collected of the seabed. This will be followed by
echosounder lines over the same area.
The sampling platform will be the 8.5 m Environment Agency survey vessel Solway
Shepherd (MMSI 235091049) operated by Briggs Marine and Environmental
Services Ltd. Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to
contact the Environment Agency. Marine Monitoring Officer:
Email: MarineMonitoring@environment-agency.gov.uk Tel: 03708 506 506
Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in this area whilst this work is
undertaken.
