Our interactive watersports map helps people enjoy the spectacular scenery of our coastlines while supporting local wildlife populations.
The map has already proved popular among the watersports community and has now been extended to cover Chichester, Langstone and Portsmouth Harbours.
If you enjoy paddleboarding or kayaking, you’ll know that paddle sports are a great way to connect with natural surroundings. But the growing popularity of these sports can disturb protected birds, seals and sensitive habitats.
The interactive map provides a user-friendly resource for water users to enjoy the area with minimal disruption to wildlife. It has brecommended launch points for paddle sports, windsurfers and kitesurfers. Recently extended to cover Chichester, Langstone and Portsmouth Harbours, it highlights sensitive areas and suggested routes to get the most out of the area.
Next step for Ranger Richie will be to develop resources for the north side of the Isle of Wight
Ranger Richie said: “By taking a few simple steps to enjoy watersports in a wildlife-friendly way, we can ensure our beautiful coastline and its abundant wildlife thrives for future generations.”
Captain Jo Cox, Chichester Harbour Master said: “Chichester Harbour is one of the busiest recreational harbours in Europe, as well as being one of the most important sites for nature in the UK. This new map will help water-users get the most of the area whilst protecting our special wildlife and habitats.”
Alongside the map resources, Bird Aware gives useful tips and advice about minimising any impact on wildlife, including:
- Look out for birds and other wildlife and move further away if they become alert to your presence;
- Steer clear of islands, spits, marshes and mud as these are important bird roosting and breeding sites;
- Keep a low profile around wildlife: kayakers and canoers can reduce wildlife disturbance by lowering their paddle angle. Paddleboarders can do the same by kneeling rather than standing;
- Carry or float equipment in and out of the water as dragging can harm delicate habitats and craft, and use recommended launch and exit points to lessen wildlife disturbance;
- Avoid small creeks as they provide the perfect safe haven place for birds;
- Follow requests on signs and marker buoys which indicate sensitive areas.
The interactive map has been developed by Bird Aware in collaboration with watersports organisations, as well as Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Langstone Harbour Board, Natural England, the RSPB and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
