Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services summarising recent environmental management of the Harbour.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services.

The Board were informed that the scope of the project to decommission the outlet pipes that currently drain the M27 bridge runoff directly into the River Hamble had been agreed, Members heard that the developer has proposed to undertake the work and that the proposal was with the project sponsor for determination. Members were pleased to hear of this progress.

In response to Members’ question regarding the Solent Oyster Regeneration Project, it was confirmed that:

·         The project had been received positively on a local scale and monitoring of oyster populations was still ongoing.

·         The principal aim of the project was to re-establish a sustainable oyster population within the Solent and not to enable commercial oyster fishing.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the content of the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services summarising recent environmental management of the Harbour.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

The Committee were informed that the scope of the project to decommission the outlet pipes that currently drain the M27 bridge runoff directly into the River Hamble had been agreed, Members heard that the developer has proposed to undertake the work and that the proposal was with the project sponsor for determination. Members were pleased to hear of this progress.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         The oyster regeneration trial involved thirty thousand oysters being laid in different locations within the River. It was intended that the trial be closely monitored and the results would inform viability for any future work. It was anticipated that up to one million oysters could potentially be laid within the River within the next year.

·         The tidal flow of the River was not low or calm enough to be able to make use of sea bins. However, the Harbour Authority was acutely aware of the importance of environmental preservation and the impact of plastics and employed alternative resources to convey this message to River users.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the content of the report.