Projects

Overview

Much of the valuable work of Dart Estuary Environmental Management (DEEM), lies in ensuring that the diverse organisations with responsibilities within the estuary are working in a co-ordinated manner, for the common good of the estuary and its community. DEEM has the ability also to be an initiator of projects in its own right. It is these projects that are often the public face of DEEM and have, over the years, become its raison d'etre.

DEEM is uniquely positioned to identify the gaps in the overlapping public authority responsibilities. As it is completely independent, DEEM can often apply for external funding from which public bodies may be excluded. In this way DEEM can complement and supplement the work of statutory bodies. In its short existence DEEM has, year on year, been successful in attracting as much, if not more, in external funding than has been available locally.

In some instances it is a case of identifying and securing sources of external funding. In many instances it is simply the case of DEEM being the catalyst and co-ordinator to bring existing resources to bear on a specific issue of the day. Here are a few examples of how this work has enabled projects to be delivered for the benefit of the local community.

The Cycleau Project

From 2003-2006, Dart Estuary Environmental Management (DEEM) was a partner in a much larger project called the Cycleau Project, a trans-national programme to develop innovative ways in which communities plan and manage their water resources, based on a holistic, catchment-wide approach.

Local sustainable power generation

DEEM, Sharpham, Dart Harbour and the South Devon AONB Sustainable Development Fund are working on a joint project that aims to combat both the problem of the Hole-in-the-Wall while exploiting the tidal flow there to produce power for the Sharpham estate.

Mapping eel grass beds

Seasearch is helping to map the beds of eel grass in the estuary and monitor marine life there. Eel grass is also the habitat of seashorses.

Sustainable Dredging Studies

One of the burning questions on the River Dart has been, 'should the sand dredging of the river that took place in the past, be recommenced?' The principal reason that the dredging ceased was because it was being done in an excessive and poorly monitored manner that led to damage to the river banks.

Assessment of Impact of Human Disturbance on the Dart Estuary Seal Population

Common seals are popular and frequently sighted visitors to the estuary. They can be seen fishing or resting throughout the whole of the tidal estuary, as far as Totnes when the tide is high. Their presence in the estuary is due to a site at the Mew Stone (Eastern approach to the harbour) which forms an important function in the life cycle of the seals where they haul out, rest or play their mating rituals.

Study of Impact of Farming Techniques on Water Quality in River Dart

The River Dart has seen huge improvements in water quality in recent years, principally as a consequence of the sewage treatment improvements carried out by South West Water, driven by the Shellfish Waters Directive. The problem remains that pollution still enters the river from diffuse sources such as run-off from agricultural (and urban) land.

Assessment of Crab Trapping Activities and Management Options

The collection of shore crabs for fishing bait is a traditional activity in West Country rivers, which provides highly prized (and valuable) 'peeler crab' bait. Peeler crabs are collected throughout the year, but mainly in the summer season by private individuals, angling associations and commercial collectors.