coast MARINAS
Our marinas and harbours are working waters, busy with boats, industry and people. But they can also be a haven for marine life. CHRISSY HARRIS finds out more
Early algae and lots of lovely limpets – it might not sound like the most exciting underwater scene but to Vicki Spooner, it’s just beautiful.
Vicki is environment manager at Falmouth Harbour and has been involved in a pioneering project to create a thriving marine habitat in one of the busiest ports in the UK.
Earlier this year, a series of ‘habitiles’ was attached to the waterside section of east wall, part of Church Street car park. These funny-looking hexagonal blocks with wiggly lines and grooves have been designed to provide places to live for a wide variety of inter-tidal marine species.
The idea is that underwater flora and fauna will start to colonise the attractive nooks and crannies. They in turn will attract small invertebrates and then larger marine animals, bringing all sorts of life to a once fairly sparse expanse of water.
It’s early days here in Falmouth, but the sight of some slimy green stuff and the occasional aquatic mollusc is cause for much celebration.
“I’m mildly obsessed with it,” says Vicki, who has worked here for eight years in what she describes as ‘the best job in the world’.
“I keep going down to the sea wall to have a look at the tiles and see what’s there. They’re already greening up really nicely. There’s some early algae starting to colonise and I’ve seen a few limpets and periwinkles. Basically, the holes in the tiles become tiny rockpools when the tide goes out.”
