15 April 2005

Tay Estuary Forum 2005 conference

Photo opportunity: 1.30pm, Friday 15 April, main auditorium, West Park Conference Centre, Perth Road, Dundee

The Tay Estuary Forum will host its 2005 annual conference at the West Park Conference Centre, Dundee tomorrow (Friday 15 April).

The Tay Estuary Forum conference will be the main focus for Europe on Scottish Marine Spatial Planning. The conference plays host to Jonathan McCue from Global Environmental Consultants Atkins Limited, who on behalf of the European Project NORVISION will address the issues of spatial planning in marine and coastal environments for North Sea facing nations. Delegates will be asked their opinions and given the opportunity to shape the European project.

Climate change is expected to pose further pressure by affecting the physical, biological, and biogeochemical characteristics of the oceans and coasts at different time and space scales, modifying their ecological structure and functions. Spatial development at sea is fairly unexplored territory. Still, the problems are similar to those on land. The interests of different economic activities like fishing, goods transportation, energy exploration, coastal defence, waste dumping, fish farming, protecting the natural habitat of species are all relevant in the coastal waters of the North Sea Region. Jonathan will outline a special agenda for the North Sea Region, harmonising these different special claims to the sea.

Other presentations include:

Tom Dawson, St Andrews University will highlight the archaeology around the coast, which is currently at risk

Olivia Lassiere, British Waterways will explain how relevant parties can meet the environmental challenges for the improvement of navigation safety on the River Tay.

Richard Park and Judy Dobson, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency will discuss monitoring water quality in the Tay Estuary.

Adam Olenik, Perth and Kinross Council will be discussing the success and teething problems of the £26 million flood defence scheme to protect Perth after its tough test during this winters January floods.

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. 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 Water, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and The Dundee and Tayside Chamber of Commerce.

The 2005 Annual Conference will build on the success of last year's event and is open to anyone with an interest in coastal issues and the Tay estuary.

For further information please contact Katriona Finan, Project Officer, Tay Estuary Forum on 07818 200389

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk