RaNTrans Stakeholder Workshop – 3rd November 2022

RaNTrans will be holding a workshop at the University of Portsmouth on the 3rd November 2022.

Please register here to attend the event, or use this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nutrient-remediation-workshop-tickets-419658719527

Oysters, algal mat and marine worms restoring nature

There has been some great coverage of the RanTans project recently and it was featured on ITV News Meridian, BBC South Today TV, and Online News, as well as Wave 105 radio.

This was a great opportunity to raise the profile of our research which is using natural solutions to improve water quality in coastal areas of the Solent, UK, and France (links are provided in English).

Recently, colleagues from the River Hamble Harbour Authority, Natural England and Defra were invited to the RaNTrans (Rapid reduction of Nutrients in Transitional Waters) project site to see first-hand how the project team is working to tackle the problem. Our scientists hope to reduce the algae using natural measures.

You can read more at the links below:

Also check out RaNTrans in the News (TV, Radio and Online)

Aleor seaweed growth trials are completed

Colleagues at Aleor have recently completed growth experiments in free-floating tank systems for both green and red seaweed. The experiments tested the comparative bioremediation capacities of red seaweed (Palmaria) and green seaweed (Ulva) to naturally use their photosynthesis processes to consume elements such as nitrates present in the water; the results will be available to be shared soon. This is a true nature-based solution to the various poor water quality pressures in our environment. We will be talking more about this at our workshop on the 3rd of November, you can sign up here if you would like to attend (https://rantransproject.com/rantrans-workshop/).

 Drone Algal Mat Footage and ARGANS Satellite Data

We have been using drones to collect algal mat and coastal vegetation footage for our study locations (Langstone Harbour and Holes Bay in Poole Harbour) in August and have further surveys planned for September. The algal mats in these locations are very extensive, which is unfortunate knowing that its decomposition in winter will result in offensive odours to anyone visiting these areas and oxygen poor substrate for wildlife using these areas to feed or roost.

The drone footage and satellite images are being used to improve accuracy of the algal mat predictive mapping tool.

Private and public sector Investments for Nature Restoration

Recently Natural England colleagues held a workshop looking at the importance of collaboration from private and public sector investments to safeguard sustainable nature recovery networks. This highlights the needs to work closely with the private sector to understand how we can make nature restoration investible.  

“The 2021 report by the environment economics consultancy, Eftec, estimated a finance gap of between £21-53bn over the next 10 years to meet the ambitions of the 25 Year Environment Plan. Government has set itself an ambitious target of leveraging private finance into nature of £500m per year by 2027 and over £1bn per year by 2030. To unlock the finance needed, we need to work closely with the private sector to understand how we can make nature restoration investible.”

All can agree that private sector investment is going to be critical to deliver nature-based solutions. The research at project RaNTrans is focusing on culture of native oysters, seaweed, and marine worms to restore coastal water quality. This is a true model of using nature-based approaches to restore nature for people and wildlife.

Estuaries and coastal seas – ECSA 59- Conference 2022

Our researchers are presenting abstracts from the RaNTrans project at this year Estuaries and coastal seas – ECSA 59, Using the best scientific knowledge for the sustainable management of estuaries and coastal seas.

Check out the summary of abstracts to read more about their work and speak with them during the workshops to get first-hand details about the outcomes of this project.

RaNTrans Stakeholder Workshop – 3rd November 2022

RaNTrans will be holding a workshop at the University of Portsmouth on the 3rd November 2022.

Please register your interest to be kept updated and attend this event: https://rantransproject.com/rantrans-workshop/