Environmental Management

The Responsible Harbour User
Conservation
Commitment to Research
Environmental Monitoring
How Can You Help?
F.H.C. Reports

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners Environmental Policy

Did you know that Falmouth and its surrounding areas are of national importance? Both above and below the water there is a rich ecosystem which makes this area so unique, and provides us with a valuable habitat. Included within our Harbour Area are sites of Special Scientific Interest, areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a Special Area of Conservation. We also qualify as being one of the 43 designated ‘Heritage Coasts’ in England and Wales.

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners has an important role in ensuring that any activities we undertake, and anything we permit others to do, will not harm this valuable area. As a Harbour Authority, it is our duty to work closely with environmental agencies to ensure that this stunning area is preserved for future generations. For this reason we are committed to the protection and conservation of the environment. With strict adherence to UK environmental legislation and internationally agreed conventions, we seek to maintain and improve the high quality of our surroundings.

Through education and training on the importance of conserving and enhancing the estuary, we hope to ensure that everyone using our waterways does so with a respect for their impact on the environment surrounding them. By working together, we can ensure that Falmouth, and the areas surrounding it, will remain as stunning as they are today. If you would like more information on how to help preserve the marine environment around Falmouth, please download the Environmental Code of Practice or collect a hard copy from the harbour office foyer. Falmouth Harbour Commissioners are committed to managing the harbour in an environmentally sustainable way.

The Responsible Harbour User

For further advice about responsible boat use please visit the GreenBlue and RYA web sites. TOP OF PAGE

Conservation

The Fal estuary and Carrick Roads are designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in accordance with the Habitats Regulations. Falmouth Harbour Commissioners are members of the SAC Management Forum, a group of Relevant Authorities meeting regularly to discuss issues affecting the management of the SAC. Falmouth Harbour Commissioners are committed to working in partnership through the SAC Management Forum to achieve the conservation objectives contained in the SAC Management Plan.

For more information about the SAC and the Habitats Regulations

Commitment to Research

We believe that knowledge is important in our aim to become a sustainable port, as is encouraging young people to take an interest in their local environment. We are therefore committed to offering support to student research within Falmouth Harbour. We support the Falmouth Habitat Project, the Mires Mor Project and are delighted to be involved in international initiatives such as PORTONOVO.

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners are involved in a joint research project called the Recreational Boating Study.

For the latest information on this work which runs June 2011 to June2012 please see the following reports and information: RBS Interim Report

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Environmental Monitoring

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners take the environmental condition of the harbour very seriously and as a result have two environmental monitoring buoys continuously assessing environmental conditions in various locations around the estuary. The first buoy monitors aspects of water quality by taking salinity, turbidity and temperature readings as well as monitoring the current speed and direction which will be especially useful in providing background environmental data and improving tidal stream information.

NB: Turbidity is measured by the Water Quality buoy in Nepheolmetirc Turbidity Units (or NTU) using a Nephelometer. Turbidity measures the level of cloudiness or haziness of the water, which is caused by individual particles of suspended solids.

The second buoy records meteorological conditions such as wind speed, direction, and air pressure, and is helping FHC to better understand the unique effect of wind driven currents in Falmouth. The buoys are moved around the harbour in order to provide baseline data from a number of different locations.

The buoys are not currently sending data as they are ashore for routine maintenance.

How Can You Help?

FHC encourage volunteers to take part in the Shore Thing, an initiative of MarLIN (the Marine Life Information Network) which works with schools and volunteer recorders to collect information about rocky shore marine life around Britain.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust - Investigate Invasives campaign aims to identify non-native invasive species that threaten the habitats and native wildlife of Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly. To help stop the spread of invasive non-native marine species, FHC encourage harbour users to carefully read the information provided by the Investigate Invasive's team and for further information on this project please email or telephone 01872 240777 ex 243.

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If you are involved in an environmental research project within Falmouth estuary we would like to hear from you