Falmouth Marine School and Falmouth Harbour

Commissioners Partnership Project

Report Sheet 2: Alex Sullivan
FdSc Marine Science
Date: 30th January 2013
Project Objectives: A Baseline Study of Comparison into how Recreational
and Industrial Maritime Activity May Affect Distribution of Native and Nonnative Sessile Marine Organisms in the Fal Estuary

Work achieved since last report

(for if this is the first report of the
year please write down work since
project commencement):
1. Gantt Chart updated
2. Risk assessment finished
3. Ethical review finished
4. Draft journal article online
5. MBA Handouts (Added to blog)
6. References added to pebblepad
7. Method added to pebblepad
8. Blog update on BCUR in April
9. Species Guide
10.
Basic what are ascidians
guide for future
students/businesses
11.
Many weeks of photo
updates from Falmouth Yacht
Haven
12.
I have required a lot of
extra resources (i.e. CWT
handouts, MBA handouts,
species guide/pictures, latin
species list)
13.
Organised a workshop day
for Marine Biology ND students
with member of staff Rachel
Green with relation to my
project.

Achievements/skills developed
and benefits to you as a result of
your work:

1.

I have been accepted to partake

in the British Conference of
Undergraduate Research event
(BCUR) for this Project piece.
BCUR is at Plymouth in April
2. I have become more familiar
with pebblepad
3. I have also been offered an
interview with Southampton
University and I believe that the
project module has put in me in
good stead.

Work/research planned for next quarter (this should be reported about

in your next report):

Data collection on panels

Statistical analysis
Conclusion
Poster creation and other publications for research day (and BCUR)
Continued photographic evidence of panels
Microbial samples need to be taken and findings recorded from Lab
Finish Species guide and Ascidians handout for future students
Check panels at A&P dockyard
Upload GIS map
Contact Steve about Poster
Continued blogging
Upload ALL pictures to Pebblepad

Executive Summary from Literature Review:

In September 2004, a rapid assessment survey on NNS was undertaken along
the South-west coast of England from East Sussex to Cornwall, focussing on
the sessile organisms which colonize floating pontoons in marinas 20 nonnative sessile species were recorded - One species for the first time Corella
eumyota (Arenas, et al., 2006). C. eumyota has increased rapidly in abundance
from 1 sighting in 12 locations by Arenas (2006) (see above) to 16 sightings in
21 locations by Collins (2010), suggesting invasive behaviour. Non-native
sessile species are frequently more common on floating docks and other
artificial surfaces than natural substrata (Glasby & Connell, 1999) - Although,
the recently discovered invasive ascidian, C. eumyota is often being detected
on the lower shore in its new non-indigenous environment (Collins, et al.,
2010). Floating dock structures are commonly located in major shipping ports
and centres for pleasure craft, these areas act as important locations for NNS
due to their dispersal from vessel hulls, sea-chests and from being the biotic
occupants of ballast water tanks (Wonham & Carlton, 2005).
References
Arenas, F; D, Bishop J D; Carlton, J T; Dyrynda, P J; Farnham, W F; Gonzalez, D J; Jacobs, M W;
Lambert, C; Lambert, G; Nielsen, S E; Pederson, J A; Porter, J S; Ward, S; A, Wood C, 2006. Alien
species and other notable records from a rapid assessment survey of marinas on the south
coast of England. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K., 86(1), pp. 1329-1337.
Glasby, T. M. & Connell, S. D., 1999. Urban Structures as Marine Habitats. Ambio, 28(1), pp.
595-598.

Details of
budget/expenditure
since last report (keep
records and receipts)
n/a

Benefits to the
company (FHC) as a
result of your work
1. My project has
received
interest from
Industry.
2. Continued links
with Falmouth
Marine School

Benefits to Falmouth
Marine School as a
result of your work
3. Organised
workshops to aid
in other student
learning
4. Have been
accepted to
represent FMS at
BCUR

Progress Against Plan:(ie One week behind plan...): - I havent managed to start data
analysis as of yet. Generally everything is going to plan, however with a lot of
assessments/assignment coming up my project has been given a back seat for a while.
Assistance required or issues to be addressed including Health & Safety (ie From
Academics, Company or anyone else-any issues needing attention)