All aspects of life on and around the River Tay will be discussed at the Tay Estuary Forum’s annual conference in Dundee on Friday April 27th.

The forum, which is housed by the University of Dundee, encompasses a wide range of organisations and community groups with an interest in the estuary. 2007 is the Forum’s 10th year of working to "promote the wise and sustainable use of the Tay Estuary and the adjacent coastline".

Over 60 delegates will be attending tomorrow’s conference, from local authorities, environmental organisations and universities. Topics to be discussed include estuarine and marine heritage projects, Tay seal populations, Dundee development and local environmental initiatives.

Delegates will also be updated on the excavation and restoration of the 3000-year-old Carpow logboat uncovered in the Tay’s inner estuary in 2002/3 and which is now being restored at the National Museum of Scotland.

For further information on the conference contact Laura Booth of the Tay Estuary Forum on 01382 384933. TayEstuaryForum@dundee.ac.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Tay Estuary Forum housed by the University of Dundee was established in 1997 with the aim of "promoting the wise and sustainable use of the Tay estuary and adjacent coastline". The forum is a non-statutory, voluntary partnership, which forms part of a network of similar partnerships, working under the umbrella of the National Scottish Coastal Forum.

The Forum provides a focus for key stakeholders in the Tay coastal zone, local community groups and all those with an interest in the estuary. It is guided by a steering group which includes the four local authorities - Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and Fife Councils, Montrose and Dundee Port Authorities, Universities of Dundee, Abertay and St Andrews, Crown Estate, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The Forum has been conducting local beach cleans throughout April as part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful "Spring Clean" initiative.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk