9 September 2004

Experts meet on Tay estuary beaches

Photo opportunities: Friday 10 September, 11:45 - 12:15, Monifieth beachfront coastal defences, Marine Drive, Monifieth. 12:30 - 13:00, Panmure Hotel, Tay Street, Monifieth.

Councillors, Local Authority representatives, community members, Scottish Water, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and academics will meet tomorrow to discuss the beaches around the Tay estuary and how they are managed. The delegates will also look first hand at examples of beach management by visiting Monifieth beachfront coastal defences.

The Tay Estuary Forum, housed by the University of Dundee will host the meeting that will bring together key decision makers and experts and give them the opportunity to investigate in depth how various beaches around the Tay are currently managed, looking at evidence of good practice in the local area and addressing some of the issues associated with beach management.

Katriona Finan, Project Officer at the Tay Estuary forum said, "This event is an excellent opportunity for those involved in managing the Tay's beaches to get together and share their experiences and expertise for the first time."

Presentations will be made by Professor Rob Duck, University of Dundee, Calum Duncan, Marine Conservation Society and Suzanne Roberts, Keep Scotland Beautiful amongst others.

Notes to editors

The Tay Estuary Forum 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. The Forum 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 and Abertay, Crown Estate, Scottish Water, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and The Dundee and Tayside Chamber of Commerce.

For further information please contact: Katriona Finan, Tay Estuary Forum, Ewing Building, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN. Tel: 01382 344933. Email: k.finan@dundee.ac.uk

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk