Main image: members of Flintshire SAC, including Mel (pictured far right)
Flintshire SAC has been awarded a grant to establish a club-focused citizen science project researching sponge species in the Menai Strait, thanks to the efforts of their Marine Champion, Mel Hough.
The £2k boost from the British Sub Aqua Jubilee Trust (BSAJT) will be used to upskill club divers in underwater surveying techniques so they can participate in the club’s new research project into declining sponge populations in the Menai Strait.
Influenced by the ‘research and discovery stories’ of other Marine Champions, Sports Diver Mel said she was delighted by her grant success:
I’ve learnt that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by making a grant application for the benefit of your club and marine conservation!
Mel became a Marine Champion for Flintshire SAC earlier this year and, after encouraging club members to be involved in a range of activities, including invasive species removal and beach cleans, she looked to establish a project that would be led by her own club.
Speaking to other marine research agencies with an interest in ocean maintenance along the North Wales coastline, Mel learned of a research data gap when it came to the declining sponge populations. She said:
Sponge species have been declining in the Menai Strait since water companies improved managing their waste water. This project is specifically around the monitoring of these species and potentially an invasive species, the Slipper Limpet, and we will be reporting back to National Resource Wales.
The idea of a Sponge Monitoring Project was fully supported by many members within her club and neighbouring club, The Golden Lion SAC, so Mel worked with North West Seasearch Officer, Holly Date, supported by BSAC’s Underwater Heritage Advisor Alison Mayor, on the different grant applications available. The BSAJT Grant funding is now enabling the group to train and prepare for the all-important sponge survey work, with thanks to Holly, FSAC Diving Officer William Cave and the members taking part in the project.
The project diving team of 12 divers, dive managers and boat handlers, including two divers from The Golden Lion SAC, are currently progressing through their BSAC Underwater Surveyor and Seasearch training. They will start actively monitoring the Menai Strait’s sponge population from October, carrying out four to six dives over the next 10 months.
Thanks to the grant, members are also taking part in a sponge species information session delivered through Bangor University Sponge Research Team.
Mel said that she has been inspired by her club members response to the sponge research project:
What I was not expecting when starting this journey for our club was that by opening up the project and training opportunities to all members it has brought five members back to club training.
And all the divers and volunteers in the Project Team will now be able to contribute to the sustainability of the Sponge species in the Menai Strait. and other citizen science projects beyond this one.
Learn more about our environmental initiatives, including how to become a Marine Champion for your club.
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