Solent European Marine Sites
Annual Monitoring Report 2015
Draft V6 November 2015
Prepared by the Solent Forum on behalf of
the SEMS Management Scheme
Solent European Marine Sites Annual Monitoring Report 2015 Draft V6
SEMS Management Scheme 2015
Contents
BACKGROUND
.............................................................................................................................. 3
INTRODUCTION
.............................................................................................................................. 3
SITE CONDITION ................................................................................................................................. 4
RISK CATEGORIES ............................................................................................................................... 4
ACTIVITIES AND ACTIONS FOR DELIVERY PLAN ................................................................................. 5
High Risk Activities that have increased or remained elevated ................................................................... 6
Medium Risk Activities that have increased or remained elevated............................................................. 9
Low Risk Activities that have increased or remained elevated .................................................................. 12
ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM PLANS AND PROJECTS ...................................................................... 15
MONITORING ................................................................................................................................... 17
OTHER ISSUES ................................................................................................................................... 16
APPENDIX 1
RELEVANT AUTHORITIES AND ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................... 19
CONTACT .......................................................................................................................................... 19
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BACKGROUND
The Solent European Marine Sites (SEMS) Management Scheme was established under what is
now Regulation 36 of the Habitats Regulations1. The SEMS Management Group (MG) of Relevant
Authorities (RAs) runs the Management Scheme and the Solent Forum provides the secretariat.
RAs are responsible for monitoring activities across the site annually, and for addressing any
issues that are shown to be damaging the site. Further details on the SEMS Management Scheme
can be found on the SEMS website at www.solentems.org.uk/.
INTRODUCTION
The SEMS Management Scheme for 2015 comprises the following three documents which can be
found at www.solentems.org.uk/publications:
1 SEMS Monitoring Response Report 2015
2 SEMS Annual Monitoring Report 2015 (this report)
3 SEMS Delivery Plan 2015
The RAs each complete an online questionnaire every Spring. This survey forms the basis of the
annual monitoring, and gathers details of all activities within the SEMS and of any effect that
these activities are having on the condition of the SEMS. Activities are classified according to
Defra’s EMS Risk Review as high, medium or low risk. 24 out of the 32 RAs who were invited to
answer the questionnaire in 2015 responded. Further telephone interviews were conducted with
RAs who had indicated activities that may have a detrimental effect on the SEMS, and with those
who noted a possible residual impact. Full details of the on-line questionnaire results are given in
the SEMS Monitoring Response Report 2015, which is available at
www.solentems.org.uk/publications/.
The SEMS Annual Monitoring Report (this report) summarises and assesses the SEMS monitoring
responses for 2015 (from both the on-line questionnaires and any subsequent follow-up
interviews and comments). It is based on the responses of the 24 relevant authorities who
completed the monitoring questionnaire. It serves to inform and help the MG at their annual
meeting, where they determine what actions to take forward in the SEMS 2015 Delivery Plan, and
it forms a link between the other two documents. Acronyms used for the RAs are given at the
end of this report.
1
The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
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SITE CONDITION
The condition of component SSSIs of the SEMS is assessed by Natural England every six years on a
rolling programme. The most recent site condition can be found on Natural England’s Nature on
the Map website. Annual monitoring of activities by the MG aims to identify threats to site
condition or, at worst, early signs of any deterioration, so that timely management action can be
taken to avoid damage or further evidence can be collected. In this report, therefore, site
condition is only referenced where further action is needed.
RISK CATEGORIES
Risk is often defined as the combination of the probability of an event and its consequences. Risk
can be either positive or negative.
Where there is a sensitive receptor, the likelihood and severity (intensity level, duration etc) of
each impact is analysed and evaluated. Thus risk is not only associated with the level of activity,
but also with its likelihood and the severity of its impact. Paramotors are an example of where a
low level of activity can nevertheless pose a serious risk at certain times and places.
Standard risk assessment aims to identify those risks with the greatest impact and the greatest
probability of occurring – these are normally addressed first, and risks with lower probability of
occurrence and lower impact or threat are handled in descending order.
In this report two activities have been highlighted for discussion to assess whether they should be
recommended to Defra as requiring a change in their Risk Category:


Fishing (commercial including shellfisheries) – from high to medium risk 
Littering – from low to medium risk 
Blue font has been used in the relevant sections to highlight where risk level is an issue.
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ACTIVITIES AND ACTIONS FOR DELIVERY PLAN
Activities taking place across the SEMS were recorded in the 2015 SEMS Monitoring Response
Report which is available at http://www.solentems.org.uk/publications/. Reports of elevated or
increased activity, with residual impact believed to be affecting the SEMS, were followed by one
to one phone calls between the SEMS secretariat and RAs.
The findings for each activity, under the risk category (high, medium or low), are summarised in
this report. For each activity of concern, the following are identified:
o
o
o
o
issue/s
evidence
management and monitoring
action to be taken forward to the Delivery Plan.
The activities where it was indicated that levels have increased or remained elevated during 2015
are included in this report. They are:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Access/Land Recreation
Water Sports (e.g. hovercraft, kayaking and kite surfing)
Agricultural Run-off
Recreational Boating
Littering
Navigation
For Recreational Boating in one harbour and for Fishing (Commercial including Shellfisheries),
although the level of activity has decreased, it is considered that fishing has not returned to a
level that avoids deterioration of the SEMS.
For four of the activities shown above in bold red font, there was considered to be a residual
impact that may cause the condition of the SEMS to change. This red font is used in the relevant
sections throughout this report.
The changes for each of these activities are summarised and the need for actions to reduce the
impact on the SEMS is highlighted for each activity. The actions agreed at the SEMS meeting on
30th September 2015 can be found in the SEMS 2015 Delivery Plan2.
2
The SEMS 2015 Delivery Plan can be found at http://www.solentems.org.uk/publications/
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High Risk Activities that have increased or remained elevated
Access / Land Recreation
Access / Land Recreation is considered to be a critical issue in SEMS. The Solent Recreation
Mitigation Partnership (SRMP3) is now in place; however this scheme only addresses the
recreational disturbance effect from new housing development. The Footprint Ecology work for
the Solent Disturbance and Mitigation Project (SDMP) showed that there was already an impact
from existing levels of recreational disturbance, which still needs to be addressed. The SDMP
report4 includes details on which parts of the Solent EMS already exceeded the threshold number
of visits for impact on the SPAs in 2012.
Hundreds of new houses were built in Chichester District in 2014 and it can be assumed that
these will equate to an increase in recreational usage of Chichester Harbour. Management takes
place and interpretation boards around the harbour are being renewed. Chichester Harbour
Conservancy (CHC) liaise with the SRMP to inform them of key disturbance areas.
The Plans and Project section of this Report (pages 13-14) notes several thousand new dwellings
proposed or built near the Solent, as well as various other plans or projects which are likely to
affect access or land recreation. In 2014 the SEMS MG noted that many SRMP partners are
planners and may not be aware of SEMS.
Both of the RAs who indicated that the level of access / land recreation remains elevated (CHC
and NE) believe there is a residual impact on the SEMS resulting from this; one of these (NE)
believes the elevated levels of ‘Access/Land Recreation’ activities may cause the condition of the
SEMS to change.
Further actions already underway or being considered can be found in the Solent SIP5 which also
identifies Access / Land Recreation as a critical issue. Natural England's IPENS programme has
gathered information from around the English coast in a report6 entitled ‘Public access and
disturbance theme plan’.
Action: SEMS / NEG to keep track of SRMP actions
3
Details of the SRMP can be found at https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/community-andenvironment/environment/solent-recreation-mitigation-strategy.aspx
4
Stillman, R. A., West, A. D., Clarke, R. T. & Liley, D. (2012) Solent Disturbance and Mitigation Project Phase II:
Predicting the impact of human disturbance on overwintering birds in the Solent. Report to the Solent Forum.
The 2012 modelling work indicated that there were impacts from disturbance, at least for Southampton Water.
http://www.solentforum.org/forum/sub_groups/Natural_Environment_Group/Disturbance_and_Mitigation_Project
/SDMP_Phase2_report_Feb2012.pdf
5
The Solent SIP can be found at http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/4692013588938752
6
The IPENS reports can be found at http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/category/5605910663659520
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Water sports (eg hovercraft, kayaking and kite surfing)
There were 3 reported increases in water sports in 2015 indicating a general and potential impact
of this activity, whilst 8 authorities recorded ‘no change’.
Natural England (NE) reported a general rise in water sports across SEMS due to increasing
accessibility and reduced costs of equipment. Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners also had a
general feeling that use of personal watercraft (particularly jet skis) has increased in their area
over the last year (in summer) with many coming in for fuel, and that kayakers have been
increasing in the estuary; however they were not aware of any problems.
Chichester Harbour Conservancy (CHC) figures showed an increase in kayaks of 31% between
2013 and 2014. From 2015 CHC will record the number of paddleboards that use Chichester
Harbour. The Conservancy is producing a leaflet to inform all water users how they can reduce
their impact and disturbance of birds using the harbour. ‘No landing’ signage on the most
important bird roosts will be renewed and visits to local paddleboarding and kayaking centres in
Chichester Harbour will increase awareness and understanding of these measures. Navigational
bulletins are also used to target watercraft users and to keep them updated.
Flyboarding, which involves a "jet pack" powered by a personal water craft, was observed in
Langstone Harbour for the first time during 2014. Although currently an irregular and infrequent
activity, flyboarding could become a disturbing presence in the harbour if it gained popularity;
Langstone Harbour Board has no regulatory mechanism for control of flyboarding.
The Hovercraft Club of Great Britain remain discontent with the decision by the Department for
Transport that recreational hovercraft continue to require permission from the Harbourmaster to
operate within Langstone Harbour.
NE believe there is a residual impact on SEMS that may cause the condition of SEMS to change;
their concern is that unmanaged water sports activities in sensitive areas impact on breeding and
non-breeding bird features of the SEMS.
Action: NEG to carry out the further action identified in 2014 in light of student literature
reviews and latest evidence, including convening a Recreation Focus Group
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Fishing (commercial including shellfisheries)
There have been recent changes to the management of commercial fisheries, which are now
subject to assessment under government policy in order to comply with Article 6 of the Habitats
Directive. The risk matrix approach now used to assess existing and new fisheries activity will
reduce, and should eventually eliminate, damage to SEMS.
The Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (SoIFCA) reported a decrease in
fishing following the introduction of byelaws, a temporary restriction and increased enforcement
in the Solent area. A further shellfish byelaw is being developed by SoIFCA. Sussex IFCA
extended their oyster dredging emergency byelaw in Chichester Harbour and consulted on an
Oyster Permit byelaw in early summer 2015.
The public continue to report capture of undersized or illegal fish and shellfish in Langstone
Harbour.
Since April 2015, Prinstead in Chichester Harbour has been designated Class C for C Edule
(common cockle) and Tapes spp (clam). There is a potential risk that hand collection activity for
these species may increase.
Despite the measures that have been taken, and the decrease in fishing activity, SoIFCA consider
that fishing has not returned to a level that avoids deterioration of the SEMS.
SoIFCA believe that the classification for this activity should be decreased from high to medium
risk.
Action: No action due to Defra approach to commercial fisheries which are now undergoing
assessment
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Bait digging
Normally this report only highlights activities where an increase is reported, or where the activity
level remains elevated. However in the case of bait digging in 2015, a decline or no change was
recorded. Ten authorities provided responses for bait digging. Of these 8 reported no change,
one unknown and one a decrease. The decrease was noted by Southampton City Council (SCC)
who received anecdotal evidence from local bait diggers that the number of ragworms had
dropped sharply at Weston shore and that very little bait digging was occurring.
It is not clear at present whether this is part of a natural population cycle or a result of other
factors. The apparent decline in ragworm levels was reported to Portsmouth University; Gordon
Watson believes the ‘crash’ could be a normal population fluctuation.
The decline has been noted here as ragworm populations are suffering a reduction from
unknown cause/s; this could affect the condition of the SEMS.
It will be important to link activities such as bait digging to the SEMS condition assessment. At
present Natural England are revising the methodology for condition assessment.
Action: Discuss further with Gordon Watson the extent and cause of decline in ragworms
Action: SoIFCA to continue their enforcement of bye-laws on bait digging with support from RAs
where appropriate
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Medium Risk Activities that have increased or remained elevated
Agricultural run-off
No specific change is reported, however Natural England (NE) note that levels of Dissolved
Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) and opportunistic macroalgae remain high in the estuarine water bodies
of the Solent and many are not meeting Water Framework Directive (WFD) requirements for
Good Ecological Status/Potential; failure to meet these standards will also result in a failure to
meet Favourable Conservation Status for the European sites. The following water bodies /
estuaries are particularly affected: Portsmouth Harbour, Langstone Harbour, Chichester Harbour,
Hamble Estuary, Newtown Harbour, Eastern Yar, Western Yar, Wootton Creek.
The Environment Agency (EA) have completed modelling of nutrient inputs to Solent Harbours to
identify the main sources of nutrients, including agricultural run-off. This has confirmed that
agricultural diffuse pollution is a major source of nutrient enrichment in coastal waters of the
Solent. This information can help identify where to target land management issues. The EA have
helped Natural England scope their project to assess the uptake and success of certain
agricultural measures in reducing diffuse nitrogen pollution in the Solent area.
NE’s management is taking place through Environmental Stewardship options and capital works,
Catchment Sensitive Farming grants and farm advice. More detail of management actions can be
found in Natural England’s Solent Site Improvement Plan (SIP7).
Due to the lag time for DIN to move through the groundwaters from source to the Solent, it is
anticipated that levels will remain elevated for many years to come. Furthermore, the reductions
of DIN loads required to reduce macroalgae levels below the target required for Good Ecological
Status/Potential cannot be achieved via existing measures
There will be two presentations on agricultural run-off research and management at the SEMS
MG meeting on 30th September 2015. More information on the EA’s WFD DIN and Ecological
Impact Investigations can be obtained from MarineSE@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Natural England believe there is a residual impact on the SEMS from agricultural run-off that may
cause the condition of the SEMS to change.
Action: Discuss and review success of last year’s action to implement actions in the Solent
DWPP and other actions including results of the EA’s TraC study, the South Downs Source
Apportionment study and NFPNA catchment study results; agree further actions as required
7
The Solent SIP can be found at http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/4692013588938752
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Airborne Activities
There was no change in the level of activity for airborne sports, despite concerns raised in recent
years.
Recreational Boating
Only Chichester Harbour Conservancy recorded an increase in recreational boating in 2015. Their
accurate records showed an overall increase of 8% in 2014 for all types of power and sail vessels.
The main increases were an 11% increase in motorboats (1064 to 1182) and a 67% increase in
windsurfers (from 33 to 55). The other categories of vessel remain very similar (all less than a 5%
change).
Management measures in Chichester Harbour are similar to those for water sports, as described
earlier in this report on page 8.
The number of Annual Harbour Dues sold in Langstone Harbour during 2014 was down very
slightly to 1081. Daily Harbour dues showed a greater decrease, down to 16% to 485. These
figures indicate a small decrease in recreational boating activity within Langstone Harbour. The
cause of this change is unknown (there is no management). Despite the reduction in numbers,
Langstone Harbour Board considers that the level of recreational boating activity has not
returned to a level that avoids deterioration of the SEMS.
Action: Recreation Focus Group to incorporate evidence from recreational boating in their
other actions being undertaken for water sports and airborne sports
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Low Risk Activities that have increased or remained elevated
Littering
Whilst 8 authorities reported no change in the level of littering, and one noted a decrease,
Langstone Harbour Board (LHB) reported that plastic litter has continued to enter Langstone
Harbour in significant quantities as a result of unscreened sewage discharges from the Combined
Sewer Overflow (CSO) at Fort Cumberland in Eastney. Large quantities of items continued to be
released into Langstone Harbour whenever it rained heavily throughout the year. Southern
Water, who manage Eastney CSO, employ contractors to collect this litter from the strandlines
but collection has not always been timely or effective. It is certain that a proportion of this litter
remains in the marine environment. LHB believe that completion of the renovation at Fort
Cumberland will not solve this problem entirely, as small plastic items (including cotton bud sticks
and plastic beads) are able to pass through the screening system so will continue to enter the
SEMS during periods of heavy rain. Some small pieces of plastic pass through the screens and
into the harbour when the water authority is operating within its discharge consent conditions.
The Fort Cumberland storm outfall major improvement works were completed in January 2015.
Southern Water Services have also invested in a multi-million pound surface water separation
system in Portsmouth and Southsea to limit the quantity of clean water passing through to the
Budds Farm Waste Water Treatment Works during rainfall periods. The spills from Fort
Cumberland storm outfall are monitored and have shown that it has only spilt twice in the last 9
months. The storm outfall was operating as expected e.g. during heavy rainfall when the rate of
flow exceeds the capacity of the sewer. These discharges are required to prevent properties from
flooding and are permitted activities. Screens are put on the storm outfalls to prevent debris
discharging to the environment. The maximum dimension of the screen apertures is 6mm in 2
dimensions. Screen apertures any smaller would be ineffective in allowing storm water to pass
through. Unfortunately some smaller sized litter does pass through when they are in operation
and there is not the technology currently to remove small objects from the discharge.
Southern Water Services has a condition in the permit which state: ‘Where the discharge results
in unsatisfactory solid matter being visible in the receiving watercourse or on the banks of the
receiving watercourse, in the vicinity of the outfall, the Consent Holder shall take all reasonable
steps to collect and remove such matter as soon as reasonably practicable after the discharge has
been reported’. The EA do check this has been undertaken, but it should be noted that it is not
practical or feasible to remove all small objects that are discharged, or differentiate between the
different sources that the materials may have derived from.
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO’s) are permitted to discharge when the pass forward rate
exceeds the capacity of the sewer. These outfalls also have telemetry equipment and the spill
data is monitored. Southern Water Services are required to undertake sewer network modelling
through the AMP investigation programme which will identify where improvement measures are
required to prevent outfalls spilling excessively. This investigation work should be complete by
March 2017. The EA will also use this information to consider if the permit conditions need
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modifying. The Water Company will need to get OFWAT approval before investing in
infrastructure improvement schemes – this may not happen until AMP7 – 2020 onwards.
LHB are concerned because the persistent nature of plastic means it will remain in the marine
environment for hundreds of years. Plastic can cause entanglement and ingestion problems for
wildlife. Over time these plastics are likely to be broken down by the mechanical action of the
sea into microplastics which are small enough to enter the food chain. Litter can cause wildlife
entanglement and ingestion problems, can smother saltmarsh vegetation, and can break down
into micro particles and enter the marine food chain. Removal of litter from the marine
environment is very costly at best and impossible at worst.
The EA are not in a position to do much more from a regulatory point of view with regards to
some of the contaminants mentioned which come from various different sources and locations.
We all need to continue to educate people or do engagement campaigns to persuade public not
to put plastic and sanitary products down the toilet. Similarly with the wider plastic issue which is
a global problem, persuading public to reuse or recycle plastics etc may help. Maybe SEMs could
do more public campaigning activity?
Further negative implications of the release of untreated sewage into Langstone Harbour have
been observed in the past year. In October 2014 the native oyster beds Ostrea edulis were
reclassified at Class C (formerly Class B) as a result of the presence of extremely high levels of the
faecal coliform E. coli in the shellfish flesh. Additionally, during February 2015 all shellfish beds
throughout Langstone and Portsmouth Harbours were closed to commercial fishing following an
outbreak of Hepatitis A in the city which coincided with extended periods of storm water
discharges. LHB consider that high levels of bacteria, viruses, nutrients, pharmaceuticals and
other chemical compounds being discharged into the sea each time it rains have a negative
impact on the SEMS.
Faecal contamination can arise from numerous sources such as recreational boating, dog and bird
faeces, run off from fields with livestock, sewage treatment works, etc. The EA have explained the
situation with the Storm outfalls and CSO’s. We will continue to work with: our Catchment
Sensitive Farming partners to ensure compliance is achieved and advice is provided to land
managers; the Local Authority provide facilities and enforce dog fouling, and address
misconnection issues; and best practice is promoted through initiatives such as the Green
Blue/Love Where you Sail. The EA will continue to protect and improve the environment through
our regulatory duty.
The Council and IFCA are best placed to comment on the closure of the commercial shellfish
beds.
In December 2014 Southern Water completed extensive improvements to CSO discharges from
Eastney Wastewater Pumping Station and Fort Cumberland Storm Tanks to Langstone Harbour.
The works are now completed, significantly reducing the sewage litter discharged in storm water
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flows to Langstone Harbour. Southern Water continues its campaign to reduce the amount of
unwanted materials entering the sewer in the first place.
Further information is needed to inform further action, including the extent of plastic littering
elsewhere in SEMS, if possible an indication of the origin of materials and details of the legislation
governing CSO consents. In light of this information a discussion is needed regarding what
action/s can or cannot be taken by the SEMS MG with regard to plastic littering.
NEG will discuss microplastics at their meeting on 21st October 2015.
LHB believe there is a residual impact on the SEMS and that this may cause the condition of the
SEMS to change.
LHB believe this year, as well as last year, that the classification for this activity should be
increased from low to medium risk.
Action: RAs to provide further evidence of plastic littering, if possible identifying whether source
is local, upstream or offshore
Action: Seek advice from EA regarding consent limits and discharges of plastics from CSOs
this advice has been incorporated into the text above
Action: Discuss what SEMS can and cannot do regarding plastic and other littering, particularly
in Langstone Harbour, and whether further investigation by NEG is required. It would be
advantageous for NEG to review or gather evidence to understand the impact of littering and
options/opportunities to address this.
Action: NEG to seek further evidence through SEMS protocol and consider recommendation of
change of risk category to Defra
Navigation (maintenance of infrastructure)
The first phase of construction of the Cowes outer harbour breakwater led to changes in
navigational infrastructure throughout the year and ongoing into 2015. Additional markers,
beacons and monitoring were put in place, as well as widespread publicity and stakeholder
engagement. This will continue in the second phase of the construction in 2015. The new
breakwater will change navigation in the harbour.
Action: No further action identified
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ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM PLANS AND PROJECTS
This section of the SEMS Annual Monitoring Report 2015 is provided for information. Plans and
projects are assessed under Part 6 of the Habitats Regulations 2010 and are not considered under
the SEMS Management Scheme. The Solent Recreation and Mitigation Strategy is being
progressed and RAs are implementing appropriate avoidance strategies to reduce the impacts of
plans, including residential developments. Many of these are listed in the SEMS Monitoring
Response Report 2015, together with other mitigation measures.
Members of the SEMS Management Group have been consulted on, or noted, the following plans
or projects, many of which are extensive and may result in additional recreational and other
demands in the SEMS:













West Wight Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy, 2014-2016
Medina Greenway: The Newport to Island Harbour shared use route was completed this
year
A number of proposals in Langstone Harbour pending decision, which involve habitat loss
or affect waterfowl feeding areas, for which mitigation is being sought
A planning application known as "land to the west of Chichester" proposes to build 1600
homes within walking distance of the Fishbourne Channel in Chichester Harbour
West Sussex County Council note that new housing and other development in the
Chichester Local Plan area may result in increased recreational disturbance to SEMS, such
as Chichester Harbour
An allocation of approximately 3,500 dwellings at North Whiteley in the adopted
Winchester Local Plan Part 1 (Joint Core Strategy); a planning application for the
development has recently been submitted to the Local Authority (March 2015)
Winchester Local Plan Part 2 (site allocations) will allocate new housing sites within an
area which is likely to have a likely significant effect on the SEMS due to increased
recreational activity
Development of Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan continues. A Habitat Regulation
Assessment has identified the potential for in combination recreational pressures on the
Solent SPAs and proposes contributions towards the Solent Recreation Mitigation
Partnership schemes as a way forward. Other planning applications coming forward
separately from this plan are subject to the same approach to mitigation
Southampton City Council has granted consent for several hundred residential units
Eastleigh Borough Council has permitted various housing applications which are being
mitigated via the measures within the Solent Disturbance Mitigation Strategy
Future proposals to improve the A27 around Chichester & associated junctions/local road
network could impact on Chichester Harbour, possibly through increased access.
Natural England has been consulted on two tidal energy trials within the SEMS - if
consented these would represent a new activity within the site. Other consultations for
plans / projects have been at a similar level / type of development to previous years.
Trinity Lighthouse Service and Hampshire County Council have been consulted over the
Navitus Bay Offshore Wind Farm proposals.
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




SEMS Management Scheme 2015
Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners report tidal turbine testing within their jurisdiction. If
successful, this may lead to permanent placement of tidal turbine which would be a new
project in this area.
The capital dredge of the Portsmouth Approach channel should commence later in 2015
The major dredge of Southampton Water and its Approaches has been completed; the
Environment Agency (EA) worked with ABP to ensure that risks to migratory fish and
shellfish were well managed during the dredge.
The EA have undertaken misconnection campaigns in partnership with Local Authorities
and Southern Water and thereby reduced urban pollution entering the Solent and its
harbours
Lymington Harbour Commissioners are undertaking a licensed 3 year Habitat
Replenishment trial which involves disposal of dredged sediment on the Solent edge of
the intertidal mudflat abutting the salt marsh just east of the river entrance. The trial aims
to raise the intertidal mud level to provide more protection to the salt marsh behind from
wind wave action
CHC has been consulted on several planning applications for new sea defences on
currently undefended areas of Chichester Harbour shoreline. One purpose of these
defences is the protection of footpaths. There is concern that defences that are
consented will contribute to coastal squeeze of the SEMS. CHC is renewing its sea defence
planning guidelines
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MONITORING
The SEMS Annual Monitoring Response Report 2015 contains a useful section on all the
monitoring being done, and planned, by relevant authorities in the SEMS. Eight RAs have
templates for recording the results of monitoring and eleven RAs are co-ordinating with other
organisations.
A separate summary of monitoring being undertaken in the SEMS in 2015 has been prepared and
may assist future co-ordination and collaboration; it is available on the SEMS website at
http://www.solentems.org.uk/publications/.
The Solent Recreation and Mitigation Partnership (SRMP) is commissioning Footprint Ecology to
develop an effectiveness methodology for the SRMP measures. Effectiveness monitoring will
commence in 2017/18 and will be carried out every three years.
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OTHER ISSUES
Chichester District Council have had several noise complaints about use of gas gun bird-scarers by farmers.
With the use of winter crops these are now being used outside of the spring/summer crop season. The
use of fields near the SPA by over-wintering birds is well understood but there seems to be little control
over these devices, or information on the potential risk.
Chichester Harbour Conservancy are concerned as to why Shelduck numbers are continuing to decline in
Chichester Harbour. Shelduck numbers in Chichester Harbour and Langstone SPA are now more than 70%
lower than they were when the site was designated as an SPA. The 2013/2014 peak count of 309 in
January 2014 was the lowest count ever recorded for Shelduck in Chichester Harbour, from records that
go back until 1965. The nationally important threshold for Shelduck is 610 individuals and Chichester
Harbour therefore fell below this in 2013/14.
During the year 2014/15, Southern Water has completed improvements at a number of wastewater
treatment works that discharge treated sewage effluent into the Solent area. These form part of the
National Environment Programme (NEP) within the AMP5 programme (Asset Management Plan) to meet
new, more stringent, environmental standards set by the Environment Agency. The sites include
treatment works at Bosham and Thornham (Chichester Harbour), Peel Common (Solent), Bursledon (River
Hamble), Millbrook and Slowhill Copse Marchwood (Southampton Water), Pennington (Solent), Newtown
Isle of Wight (Newton River) and Brading (River Yar).
Bursledon and Brading Wastewater Treatment Works (noted above) both ceased to operate in June 2014.
The Works have been replaced by new pumping stations that transfer flows to Peel Common and
Sandown Wastewater Treatment Works respectively, from which the treated effluent is discharged via
long sea outfalls. Continuous flows of wastewater into the River Hamble and River Yar have therefore
ceased, although the intermittent discharge of treated storm water may occur during rainfall events as
allowed by permit from the Environment Agency.
A major reconstruction of Woolston Wastewater Treatment Works has also commenced and will be
completed in 2019.
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Solent European Marine Sites Annual Monitoring Report 2015 Draft V6
SEMS Management Scheme 2015
APPENDIX 1
RELEVANT AUTHORITIES AND ABBREVIATIONS
Authority
Associated British Ports
Beaulieu River Management
Chichester District Council
Chichester Harbour Conservancy
Cowes Harbour Commissioners
Eastleigh Borough Council
Environment Agency
Fareham Borough Council
Gosport Borough Council
Hampshire County Council
Havant Borough Council
Isle of Wight Council
Langstone Harbour Board
Lymington Harbour Commissioners
Marine Management Organisation
Natural England
New Forest District Council
New Forest National Park Authority
Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth International Port
QHM Portsmouth
River Hamble Harbour Authority (Hampshire County Council)
Southampton City Council
Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
Southern Water
Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
Test Valley Borough Council
Trinity House Lighthouse Service
West Sussex County Council
Wightlink
Winchester City Council
Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners
Code
ABP
BRM
CDC
CHC
CoHC
EBC
EA
FBC
GBC
HCC
HBC
IoWC
LHB
LHC
MMO
NE
NFDC
NFNPA
PCC
PIP
QHMP
RHHA
SCC
SoIFCA
SWS
SxIFCA
TVBC
THLS
WSCC
WL
WCC
YHC
CONTACT
Solent European Marine Site Secretariat, The Solent Forum, Hampshire County Council, Elizabeth II Court West
The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UD
Telephone 01962 845011 / 846027 Email sems@hants.gov.uk
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