Marine conservation group takes the plunge at first public meeting

Volunteers will receive brief training each day and the data about the types and origin of plastic litter collected will form part of a Citizen Science project and ultimately inform government thinking on the use of plastic. 

Many in the audience expressed deep concern about beach litter, particularly plastic, and many signed up for this project. 

The seagrass regeneration project, generously funded by Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund, begins in mid-March with an underwater survey in the vicinity of Carradale Bay, using a drone and a team of divers to map the local seagrass beds. 

Once the project is underway, volunteers will be needed on land and in the water, and many signed up for this, perhaps tempted by the offer of free snorkel training! 

Two local, qualified divers from the British Sub-Aqua Club gave a short talk at the end of the meeting about their voluntary work with local people, before the audience tucked in to tea and cake.

The KCN website is almost ready to go live, and everyone who signed up as volunteers at the meeting will hear from KCN very soon. 

Important dates for the calendar will be listed on the KCN website, and they will keep in touch with Courier readers.

A KCN spokesperson said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended our successful first public meeting. 

“We were inspired by such a passionate and engaged community coming together, and their input, ideas, and support will be invaluable to create a sustainable, thriving environment for future generations. 

“KCN looks forward to collaborating with Kintyre residents on their exciting conservation efforts.”