Marine Life Report (September 2006)

Coastal Zone Strategy

Late in 2005 the States Environment Department launched a 'Coastal Zone Strategy' document with an extensive outline of what appeared to be its thoughts and intentions regarding the Jersey coastline. To date there has been no public discussion. The document appeared to outline an agenda and was more an exercise to promote and condone the Department's actions and objectives. It proposed little to tackle problems such as overfishing and the general increased pressure on the coast. That said, several of the suggestions have already been implemented or are being looked into. One interesting suggestion is that part or all of any proposed duty on marine fuel be used to protect and enhance the marine environment.

Biodiversity Action Plans

The Environment Department launched their 'Biodiversity Action Plans' (BAPs). The initial plans include 51 species that are protected, rare, declining or significant in Jersey. Over time, the project will address all threatened or protected species and habitats. Only two marine species are on this list — are Basking Sharks and Eel Grass. One would expect see many others such as the rare native Oyster, Puffins which are now down to ten breeding pairs; Sandwich Terns which until recently bred in Jersey; Porbeagle and Blue Sharks which are both in rapidly decline and are not protected.

Eel grass Zostera marina

Eel grass is a perennial green plant growing in single flattened leaves 5-10 millimetres wide and up to a metre long, it is found near the low water mark at spring tides in shallow sheltered bays or gullies, growing on sand, mud or fine gravel. Locally it is found in the south coast gullies, St Aubin's Bay, Rozel Bay, offshore at Les Ecréhous and Les Minquiers, and the most notable bed is in St Catherine's Bay. The productivity value and richness of the biological communities harboured by these beds is astonishingly high and can be compared to those of tropical rainforests and coral reefs especially when coupled with the beds of kelp that often border growths of Eel Grass. Probably the most visible sign of its importance as a food source are the Brent Geese who in the winter months line the low water mark to graze. Like any other plant Eel Grass is susceptible to climate change and disease and it particularly suffered around Europe in the 1930s but had recovered greatly by the 1950s.

The States had previously assisted Emma Jackson of Plymouth University in her 3-year PhD research into these beds locally, so their inclusion in BAPs will continue to highlight their importance and hopefully give them some protection in the future.

Basking Sharks Cetorhinus maximus

UK waters, growing to around 10 metres in length and weighing up to 5 tons. One of almost 15 metres was recorded in Norway in the 1890s, while the largest one recorded in the Channel Islands was washed up on Sark in 1933 and from the photograph it is estimated to be close to 15metres.

Basking Sharks migrate to coastal waters during the summer months and tend to congregate where there is an abundance of zooplankton near tidal fronts in coastal areas such as Lands End in Cornwall and the Isle of Man where they are known as Gobbag vooar (big mouth). Locally, individuals are generally sighted to the west, north and south of Jersey; in early winter they are observed near the Roches Douvres. Although the only European commercial fishery allocation is in Norway there is currently no active fishery. The species is protected in the whole of the UK and Guernsey but not Jersey although, as a signatory to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), Jersey does have some obligations. Historically there was a commercial fishery in Brittany in the post-war years but overfishing meant that it became unviable and perhaps it is because of this fishery and the species' slow recovery rate that they are seldom seen in our waters. Basking Sharks are late maturing (18 years) and average litters of one to two pups. They are estimated to live to an age of 40 years.

Fish

'Genuine Jersey' has recently started to market and promote local line-caught Bass as a quality and sustainable form of fishing, with several fishermen participating. Under the scheme these prime fish are labelled with a red 'Genuine Jersey' tag. Perhaps next spring Londoners will be able to have Bass with Royals and Cider all fresh from Jersey on their doorstep.

Due to dwindling stocks of Bass, Jersey Fisheries are expected to follow the British and raise the minimum size limits for Bass from 36cm to 40cm with the intention to increase the landing size further to 45cm by 2010. The increase to 40cm will bring the minimum landing size closer to the average spawning size (42cm). As a result, more juvenile fish will be protected and there would be increased recruitment to the spawning stock. This will in turn increase the number and size of Bass. The British are also looking into further restrictions on anglers with a limited amount of fish allowed per angler. Jersey anglers would accept such measures as long as there are certain catch limits also enforced on local commercial catches. There is the added problem of informing and enforcing any new restrictions on the large number of French anglers who fish in Jersey waters. The need for increased protection for this species is long overdue as it is a valuable part not only of the commercial fishery but also the recreational fishing sector.

Sea Trout

Although rarely caught by local anglers, Sea Trout, though a great deal smaller, are occasionally caught in local nets in the autumn months, especially where fresh water enters the sea.

Les Ecréhous

The reef has recently become an increasingly popular destination for charter trips and rowdy parties and, although these problems have been highlighted in the media, Les Ecréhous appear to be falling victim to these demands. Nesting birds have suffered greatly this year with the Common Terns noticeably down in numbers. Numerous Oyster catcher eggs and chicks have been lost as a result of visitors who think the rocks are some sort of walk-through zoo. It has been suggested that boards with a code of conduct be placed at nearby harbours as the majority of damage is done as a result

ignorance rather than on purpose.

On a brighter note Bottlenose Dolphins have been observed regularly during the summer months over the feeding grounds and on one fine day they could be seen nudging through the sand banks presumably in the hope of dislodging sand-eels. It would appear by the number of youngsters that recent months have been a success for breeding.