Evolved Research and Consulting recently ran an online survey to find out what the public think about the Solent’s habitats and species. The survey will inform the development of the Solent Seascape Recovery Plan that will be a key output from the Solent Seascape project that is being led by  partnership of organisation headed up by the Blue Marine Foundation.

There were 424 responses to the survey from a wide range of people who live around the Solent.

The headline findings were as follows:

• Respondents thought that all habitats and species are important and respondents value saltmarsh and birds the most.

• People through that it's important to protect the Solent to ensure greater biodiversity, to protect it for future generations and for a healthy climate.
• Sewage pollution, coastal and marine development and climate change were seen as the biggest threats to the health of the Solent. Recreational boating and other marine recreation are seen as the greatest recreational pressures.
• There was mixed opinion as to whether there has been any change in the state of the Solent over the last 5 years with many not knowing and significant numbers think it had either worsened or improved a little or a lot. However most felt that more action was needed to project the Solent.

• The best ways to tackle nature recovery are better enforcement, habitat creation, penalties and education.
• People take lots of actions to help to protect the environment and the main barrier to taking additional actions is lack of time.

 “I can think of things that have improved and deteriorated in quality over the past five years, I am unsure where the needle falls as to the balance of this, however. I'm inclined to say worse however, despite many organisations and projects best efforts.”

 “The species saltmarsh attracts are so diverse and this provides me with a space to feel truly a part of nature and subsequently gives me a mental clarity and peacefulness that I'm yet to replicate in other environments.”

“I value the Curlew, its call epitomes the wildness of the Solent.”

 “All habitats are critical to a healthy and diverse ecosystem in the Solent.”

 “It's no good updating laws if they're not going to be enforced. Stronger punishments required for corporates, since fining doesn't seem effective.”

As part of the Solent Seascape project Evolved Research and Consulting are working alongside Resources for Change to help the Blue Marine Foundation develop a nature recovery strategy for the Solent. As well as the public survey, during March we also ran a series of 5 workshops with key stakeholders to develop a vision and identify desired outcomes for the Solent. A separate blog provides an update on the workshops.  Look out for further updates on how the work progresses.

Photo credit: Paul Adams