Support for responsible diving

Most of Dorset’s divers care about marine wildlife, according to a new survey. Of divers questioned in the survey by Dorset Wildlife Trust this summer, 97% said that marine life was an important part of the enjoyment of their diving.

The survey formed part of the Shellfish Divers project, to raise awareness among divers of the laws about collecting shellfish, which apply to recreational divers as well as commercial fishermen. A new Divers’ Shellfish Code urging divers to act responsibly, limiting catches to what they can eat and to observe the law, has also been welcomed by those who took part, nearly half saying they were not fully aware of the laws against taking breeding animals or selling their catch.

People diving at Kimmeridge Bay in the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve took part in the survey between May and September, with 78% of those questioned being concerned that divers should not take excessive amounts of shellfish, to the detriment of populations.

Julie Hatcher, Marine Awareness Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “The survey shows that most divers are concerned about the marine environment and support our call for a responsible attitude to diving and shellfish collecting. The amazing marine animals off our coast are what makes diving here so special.”

The Shellfish Divers project is funded by Project AWARE Foundation, divers conserving underwater environments. Visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ssdp or contact Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01929 481044 for your free, waterproof code including legal minimum catch sizes.

Divers’ favourites, according to the survey:
• Cuttlefish
• lobster
• ray
• crab
• shark
• conger eels

-ENDS-
Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01929 481044.
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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Dorset Wildlife Trust was founded in 1961 to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the county and now has over 25,000 members and manages over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve.

The largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues. It leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.

The Shellfish Divers Project is funded by Project AWARE Foundation (International). http://www.projectaware.org/

Shellfish Divers Survey results
• For 97% of the divers questioned marine life is an important part of the enjoyment of diving. The top 6 most popular animals to see on a dive were cuttlefish, lobster, ray, crab, sharks and conger eels ­ all of which would be directly affected by reduced shellfish populations.
• 87% dive 10 or more times each year
• 34% have never collected shellfish, 40% do so rarely and 26% often collect. None said they collected on every dive.
• Only 3 people admitted taking enough shellfish to give out to their friends and neighbours or to stock up for the year. The rest collect only enough for one meal.
• 27% of divers were not aware of the legal minimum catch sizes, while 43% and 48% respectively were not aware of the laws regarding taking breeding animals or selling/trading their catch.
• 19% of divers said they had seen somebody taking what they considered to be excessive dive catch of shellfish.
• 22% said they were unconcerned about divers taking excessive amounts. The remaining 78% had some concerns about it.

Finally divers were asked how they thought ‘excessive’ dive catch might affect their future diving experience. The most common answer, from 62% of people, fell into the category of “there would be less to see/reduced numbers of marine life”. 9% believed there would be no effect at all.

Divers’ Shellfish Code ­ minimum catch sizes
Lobster 87mm
Scallop 100mm
Spider crab 130mm (male) 120mm (female)
Edible crab 140mm
(Southern Sea Fisheries District Committee 2007)