The Overfalls Project

Specific activities are as follows:

Activities - Phase 2 Expected timing Learn more about Overfalls Carry out diver habitat survey and fish stomach sampling to better understand the Overfalls ecosystem   Jul-Sep 06 Assist Overfalls Group Assist Overfalls Group to establish its operating structure, Governance Document and Code of Conduct Apr-Aug 06   Improve facilitation and dialogue Develop program of dialogue and facilitation training and input Aug-Oct 06     Develop baseline register for site Skipper's Logbook Survey Jul-Sep 06     Research perceived success of Project Feedback and perception Survey   Nov-Dec 06 Marine management objectives Management objective ranking analysis for groups of stakeholders Oct-Dec 2005 Overfalls Group Meetings Host meetings of Overfalls Group addressing proposals and issues of relevance to site Regular   Final Report Submission of Final Report Mar 2007

Group Meetings

Group meetings have been an integral part of the project process over the duration of the project. Meetings have represented an opportunity for the project team to update the group on current and planned activities and also for the group to discuss issues relevant to the Overfalls area. It has been through the meeting process that the group have become aware of the wider issues relating to marine spatial planning and those that may affect the Overfalls in the longer term, and ultimately the need for management beyond any single issue.

Throughout Phase II the project meetings have been held on a regular basis, with both the project team and members of the group contributing issues to the agenda for group discussion, presenting ideas/thoughts concerning the longer term management needs for the area and taking the group forward beyond the project. This has included discussing key areas of conflict, for example the long-standing application to dredge aggregate from the Overfalls area, but also broader issues relating to the management of fish resources and the groups key objective in achieving protection for the main Overfalls features.

The final project meeting was held at the end of March 2007.  There was strong consensus that the group will continue to work together to ensure the long term protection of the Overfalls.

Conferences

Conferences represent one of the most efficient methods of disseminating results from current research, providing the most up to date overview of areas currently being researched and areas that require further study.

During Phase II of the project there have been a number of conferences and seminars directly relevant to the Overfalls Group. Members of the group have attended some of these conferences such as the Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainability Conference in September, 2006 and the Coastal Futures Conference in January, 2007.

Stakeholders were invited to attend these conferences as a way of fostering a broader understanding of marine aggregate dredging and policy developments in the wider marine environment.  Some of the research presented at these conferences has been directly relevant to the Overfalls. The Group also found the conference process provided an invaluable opportunity to network with others involved in marine management and the Group has been able to make contact with individuals who expressed interest in the project process.  It is hope that this may ultimately help the Group to reach its primary objective of securing protection for the key Overfalls features.