Exe Estuary Management Partnership. Including sections taken from Minutes supplied by Exeter Port User Group

Transcription

1 Zonation and Code of Conduct Review Minutes 10:00-13:00 Thursday 9 th March 2017 Location: Exe Sailing Club, Tornado, Shelly Rd, Exmouth EX8 1EG Including sections taken from Minutes supplied by Exeter Port User Group Attendees Stephanie Clark, Exe Estuary Management Partnership (EEMP) Rex Frost, Exe Sailing Club / Exmouth Water Users Group / Exe Port User Group Neil Downes, EEMP Forum Chair / Lympstone Sailing Club / Lympstone Fisheries & Harbour Association Dave Radford, Exmouth Sea Scouts Judith Carter, Commodore, Lympstone Sailing Club Emma Barton, RYA Legal Alan Wood, RYA SW Rep Michael Green, Commodore, Cockwood Boat Club Dave Rochester, Topsham Sailing Club Jane Evans, Exeter Canoe Club (Observer) Other Invitees Graeme Atwell, Topsham Sailing Club Starcross Yacht Club Starcross Fishing & Cruising Club SC gave an outline of the proposed Voluntary Exclusion Zones (VEZs), accompanied by maps and an explanation why the areas are important as feeding grounds and high tide roost sites. The proposals are in response to planned growth of development / housing in the areas surrounding the Exe, to prepare for and mitigate against potential increase in use of the estuary. New Habitat Mitigation Officers (HMOs) are in place to help educate users and raise awareness of issues, appointed by the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Partnership (SEDHRP). EB asked what evidence existed and how site specific it was. SC cited the Exe Disturbance Study Concerns were raised about how robust the study was and how much evidence was available. A discussion followed about which users caused major disturbance and generally it was felt that dog walkers were the most likely and otherwise it was perhaps large groups of people or perhaps the occasional SUP or kayak which got very close to birds before they were noticed. SC suggested that voluntary measures such as the proposed VEZs would be preferable to statutory measures and exclusions. 1

2 Dawlish Warren VEZ (Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve) RF suggested that if people understood the concerns and the areas were sensible to all then there would be no argument. He queried why after the December consultation workshop the area had not been altered. He understood that there was already agreement that crab tilers could continue in the area and access to Eales Dock could not be blocked. SC stated that the boundaries could not be amended and exceptions could not be confirmed until the public consultation closed. Any amendments so far are suggested amendments, but all comments need to be taken on board before they can be confirmed as final proposals. MG stated that he believed that Teignbridge District Council opposed the current area. SC stated that TDC does not want the access at Cockwood Steps closed. RF suggested that moving the Northern boundary down to the horizontal grid line (just below the defined landing area) / IFCA byelaw line would provide an area of safety for kayakers and boaters at HW and cause no problems to birds as they would not be there when the other users were about. This could be all tides, all year. This was agreed by the rest of the group. SC stated that there are high tide roosts at Dawlish Warren, the most important of which are in the lower reserve, but would need to check whether this could be an option. SC stated that safety of users will be taken into consideration as priority. There was discussion about the effect of mussel farming and dog walking. 2

3 3

4 Exmouth VEZ (Duck Pond / Exmouth Local Nature Reserve) RF noted that separate meetings had already taken place with the Exe Power Boat & Ski Club, crab tilers and kitesurfers. The boundary had been redrawn as a suggested amendment, to the right of the Imperial Recreation Ground slipway, but still lay slightly to the west of the existing line of buoys that marked the kitesurfing VEZ. The group suggested that this area was used for beginners in kitesurfing and windsurfing and that this line of buoys should not be moved west, since it was an already agreed boundary. It was also suggested that most kite and windsurfers launch and go out to the NW to take advantage of the flat, shallow water and clear air, so few venture into the area north of the Imperial Ground / Duck Pond launching area. The EPBSC have suggested that their statutory area for skiing and racing will not be amended, unless ECC agree to paying for a small change to the ski area. The area is popular with kayakers and SUPs at HW and is a good space for youth / novice recreational boating as it is safe and calm. Sea Scouts and Sea Cadets (based in Camperdown Creek) as well as the general public make use of it. However, they don t use this area as much during winter. ACTION: SC to clarify with Sea Scouts and Sea Cadets how they use Exmouth VEZ area. The group questioned why an all-tide exclusion was necessary and asked whether a low tide exclusion could be considered. SC expressed concerns that not all visitors would check tide times. SC stated that signs and buoys will be put in place, codes of conduct will be available and the HMOs will be on site to raise awareness. However, it is unlikely that they could resource the frequency of HMO visits to ensure compliance with a tidal restriction. The group discussed use of tidal gauges/posts placed at the edges of the zone to indicate the height of tide that the geese were able to feed, based on water depth across the site. This would also mean that there would be as much tidal window as possible for users of the site and that there would be one rule for all users, rather than access just for powerboats. EB reminded the group that a marine licence would be required for any markers or buoys for both of the sites and that the RYA are able to object to placement of markers. It was felt that if a tide time restriction was included, voluntary exclusion would be accepted. Suggest boaters allowed during all times that the birds were not feeding, at least HW +/- 3, however any decision must be based on sound evidence that proposed depths are shown to enable feeding by the geese. 4

5 5

6 Summary of Proposed Suggestions from, for SC to take into consideration with the SEDHRP Warren area boundary to be moved south to the line agreed by this group as above. NOTE: It has since been clarified that there is a high tide roost against the railway line in the upper NNR. Exmouth area west boundary to be moved east (as explained above) and to have a tidal time restriction imposed (as above). NOTE: It has since been clarified that the feeding pattern of birds is not as simple as low tide feeding. For example, Brent geese feed on a retreating tide, when the eelgrass doesn t lie flat on the mud. SC was advised that a post to indicate tidal height would not work for this reason. 6