Seasearch Northern Ireland News

Our 2008 programme is now out, see the diving and calendar pages or download our latest newsletter here.

February 2008 newsletter

See below for our 2007 Survey Reports

Success in Fan mussel hunt!
There are many historical records of fan mussels from the north coast of Northern Ireland but no living populations were known. Last year Seasearch found several dead shells near the Skerries, including one young shell, suggesting fan mussels may still be present in the area.
We surveyed sites on the north coast including the Tuns Bank at the Mouth of the Foyle but an EHS and Ulster Museum survey team beat us to it, in June they found one individual at a top secret location on Rathlin island (pictured below left). We were able to go and monitor this later in the summer to check it had not been disturbed. 
Rare Sea Slug spotted
The rare “yellow skirt” sea slug Okenia elegans (below right) was recorded from the Alastor wreck in Ringhaddy, Strangford. There are a few records of this species from the North and East coasts of Northern Ireland but it is the first time it has been recorded from Strangford Lough (recorded by Colin Ferguson).

Survey reports now available

Reports for our surveys are available from the links below.

Rathlin 2005

Strangford 2005

Isle of Muck/Maidens 2005/2006

Skerries 2006

Rathlin 2007

Strangford 2007

North Coast NI 2007

NI Summary Report 2007

Want to know more about Seasearch?
Are there other people in your club that are interested in participating in Seasearch? I am happy to come to your dive club to give a short talk about Seasearch and its aims. I can also run in house courses if you have sufficient interest. Please get in touch for further information.

 

 

 

 

 

Seasearch News

Seasearch is co-ordinated by the Marine Conservation Society on behalf of the Seasearch Steering Group which comprises the Marine Conservation Society, Wildlife Trusts, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, English Nature, Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage, Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland, Environment Agency, Marine Biological Association, Nautical Archaeological Society, British Sub-Aqua Club, Sub Aqua Association, Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Scottish Sub Aqua Club and independent marine life experts.