The Shore Thing
The Shore Thing is an initiative of MarLIN, the Marine Life Information Network, working with schools and community groups to collect information on the marine life of rocky shores around Britain. The project follows on from the UK’s Marine Biodiversity and Climate Change Programme (MarClim). MarClim provided strong evidence that recent climate change has resulted in changes in the abundance, population structure and biogeographic ranges of a number of intertidal indicator species. The survey protocol and methodologies have been developed from MarClim. All the information collected by volunteers will be made available online and will help to build a picture of the present state of UK rocky shores and measure change in the future.
News and Events
Funding
The Shore Thing project is now in its 7th year thanks to the continued support of Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage and Natural Resources Wales (ex CCW). We also have addtional funding for Northern Ireland from IdeasTap via the Ulster Wildlife Trust and of course the MBA provides invaluable inkind support.
The project continues to grow along with the database which now has over 40,000 species records from over 130 sites around the UK. This year we will be encouraging volunteers to re-survey sites. provide training in Scotland, Wales and England and devlelop new resources for students and community groups.
2013 Surveys
Spring has sprung for the majority of the UK although the sea remains unseasonably cold. However, this is now the time to start planning Shore Thing surveys for the coming year. As the Shore Thing enters its 7th year it’s more important than ever to continue the great work that volunteers and students have done in building up a valuable dataset of climate change indicators and non-native species.
If you would like information on the tide times in your area or on how you can get involved please contact us.
Shore Thing Survey Guide!
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This new guide sets out Shore Thing survey techniques and species identification. Printed on waterproof paper this A5, 24 page guide contains: a brief explanation of the main features of the rocky shore; details on how to carry out a transect survey and timed species search; anatomical features of seaweed and sea snails, and photographs and key features of 43 species. There is a special section on non-native species, records of which should be sent to the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) http://www.marlin.ac.uk/rml.php
This guide is free of charge to Shore Thing participants. Please contact the Shore Thing Project Officer, Fiona Crouch. Email: ficr@mba.ac.uk or telephone: 01752 633336. If you would like several copies then a donation towards post and packing would be very much appreciated.
Species of the Month
Over the past three years Species of the Month has featured all 22 climate change indicators used during the Shore Thing timed species search and a number of non-native species. Click here to see the full list of species and accompanying information.
