{"id":4521,"date":"2021-06-29T20:02:03","date_gmt":"2021-06-29T20:02:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peninsulapartnership.org.uk\/?p=4521"},"modified":"2024-04-08T08:24:55","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T08:24:55","slug":"chasm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/peninsulapartnership.org.uk\/projects\/chasm\/","title":{"rendered":"CHASM"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHASM: Crustaceans, Habitat And Sediment Movement.<\/p>\n

The CHASM project aims to identify causes behind the decline in crab and lobster catch, the decline in sea water and habitat quality, and the increased quantity of marine sediment on the UK south coast initially observed by the fishermen of Selsey Bill. These are questions that first emerged well over 10 years ago, but to which we are only starting to gain insight now. The work of CHASM includes acquiring and processing environmental samples and establishing correlation with other environmental and geospatial data from the region.<\/p>\n

The fishing grounds near Selsey Bill, West Sussex, have traditionally been well managed and productive. Fishing in the area has been shown to date back to the Bronze Age, while individual fishing families can trace their roots back centuries. The Selsey fishery was first recorded by Bede in 730AD and, typical of most small inshore UK fisheries, is of huge cultural significance locally.<\/p>\n

Many local fishermen are traditionally potters whose main catch is comprised of edible crab (Cancer pagurus)<\/em> and European lobster (Hommarus gammarus<\/em>), while other species includes fin fish, common or edible whelks (Buccinum undatum<\/em>), and cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)<\/em> according to season.<\/p>\n

The sea surrounding the Manhood Peninsula and within local harbours should be healthy. The Selsey fishery should thrive here alongside the marine plant and animal inhabitants. These are key components in the marine ecosystem and food web, and alongside tourism, contribute heavily to the blue carbon economy whose significance is increasingly being recognised. Instead, the Selsey fishery together with many UK inshore fisheries is in a state of sharp decline.<\/p>\n

Initial investigations into the seabed and water column, the factors most likely to impact crustaceans, appear to show that reduced crab and lobster catch is an indicator of many changes currently taking place in coastal seas (crabs and lobsters are the canaries in the coal mine in this respect). Similar observations have also been made elsewhere in the world. Previous overfishing cannot be discounted but reasons such as contaminants in sediment, water quality, and changes in other environmental parameters also need to be considered.<\/p>\n

Something has affected the marine environment, but it isn't clear what that is. Observations indicate a huge range of potential environmental stressors making the issues extremely complex. Some are likely to be seen globally, others will be local. A key feature is that environmental stressors are normally examined on an individual rather than a holistic basis. However, this approach fails to consider the combined effects, a potentially damaging omission. CHASM hopes to address this.<\/p>\n

Key partners have undertaken preliminary work in an early attempt to identify the relevant causes. As described before, this included acquiring and processing environmental samples and correlating findings with other environmental and geospatial data from the region. Work to date is summarised in the following pages.<\/p>\n

Key Project Aims:<\/strong><\/p>\n