REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (added 23/02/11)

[Jamie]

I am a student from the University of York who is researching the impacts of recreational activities on the Teesmouth and Cleveland on behalf of Natural England. The work is focussing on improving the value of the Teesmouth coast for both people and nature with a focus on engaging with local users of the site. As you may be aware the area is a special area for conservation and is extremely important internationally for continued survival of many species of waterbirds and is designated as a "European Marine Site."

My research so far has included interviewing members of the public on how often they visit the area and which activities they undertake, their awareness of the importance of the site- in particular the waterbirds- and their thoughts on how the site could managed more productively. Following this I discussed my findings with the members of the European Marine Site Management Group which includes representatives from the local authorities and other statutory organisations to understand their perspectives on the managing the issue.

The findings showed that the coastline is very important to local people with a wide variety of recreational activities carried out including walking, dog walking, sea angling and bird watching. Unfortunately some of these activities are unintentionally damaging this important area and disturbing the waterbirds.

From speaking to members of the public and the Management group many people believe the best way we can manage the site is to educate people on the conservation importance of the area and why we need to look after it. We feel this would best be achieved through a series of coastal codes which would be written with the help of local user groups such as Teesmouth Bird Club with the aim that the user groups sign up to and promote the coastal codes to their members.

We also hope to establish a coastal forum where all members of the public are invited to discuss concerns along the coastline in an informal setting. Such groups have been created at The Humber Estuary and on a smaller scale Flambrough Head. Both these sites have had great support in writing the codes and the coastal forum meetings have enjoyed a large turnout.

I would very much like the Teesmouth Bird Club's involvement in the work. I am hoping to give a small presentation to you about my work in April but before this I would like your general thoughts recreation and disturbance in the area. I would also like your thoughts on anything you feel should be included in the code, this could be something related to bird watching or another recreational activity or general points on what you believe should be included.

If you would like to be involved or know more about the project please feel free to email myself, Katherine Simpson at Katherine.simpson1989@gmail.com.