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THE Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has announced a week long festival to highlight the biodiversity, natural heritage and recreational opportunities of a large part of the west coast of Scotland.
The largest area of sheltered deep water in the British Isles, the Firth of Clyde will be the focus for Clyde Marine Week (29th July – 4th August 2011) and will involve a series of events to show off what is generally regarded as one of Britain’s most beautiful coastlines.
The Firth of Clyde is a huge area of coastal water with a fascinating mix of sea lochs, islands, small towns and changing weather. It’s home to an amazing abundance of wildlife and, says MCS Scottish Projects Officer, Anne Saunders, has something to offer everyone no matter what part of the Clyde they visit: “Rockpool rambles and jellyfish spotting on the beach, nesting gannets on Ailsa Craig in the outer Clyde and wintering waders along the coast. Arran is a hotspot for basking sharks, which can even be seen from the ferry. For divers there are spectacular flameshell reefs, fireworks anemones and beds of a coral-like seaweed called maerl.”
Clyde Marine Week will encompass a really diverse range of events from beach cleans, rockpool surveys at Culzean, beach litter art events in Fairlie, boat trips around Arran, and snorkelling trips to see marine life in action!
This inaugural celebration of this west coast of Scotland gem has been supported by the Firth of Clyde Forum, the aim of which is to secure a healthy future for the Clyde.
“We believe that to better understand your local environment, you need to get out and about and involved. So now is the time roll up your sleeves and dive into Clyde Marine Week and find out what can be seen, learnt and done in and around the Firth,” says Forum Project Manager, Kirstie Dyson.
The week is being funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) who say they’re delighted to be involved.
“This is a great chance for people to find out more about our spectacular marine wildlife, and we're really pleased to give it our support. There’s a huge range of activities and events over the week, catering for all ages, tastes and interests. We hope people will get out and plunge in!” says SNH Marine Policy and Advice Officer, Fiona Manson.
Anne Saunders says the week will be inspiring, fun and educational: “We want to get people thinking about how we affect our wildlife and environment through such things as beach litter, pollution, unsustainable fishing methods, and by disturbing wildlife and their habitats. We want people to see that they can be part of the solutions - by joining MCS beach litter projects, following our advice on fish to eat and fish to avoid, or by becoming an MCS member.”
You can find out more about Clyde Marine Week, which runs from Friday 29th July to 4th August 2011, by visiting www.mcsuk.org/clydemarineweek or by picking up event leaflets at numerous locations around the Clyde including Tourist Information Centres, Scottish Natural Heritage offices in the Clyde area, and the Firth of Clyde Forum office.
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