Is anything being done about the floating green weed in the harbour?
This weed is largely generated as a result of excessive nutrients in the water. (Technically seaweeds are algae, in this case Enteromorpha species.) It is particularly prominent in summer because it grows well in warmth and sunlight. The Conservancy recognises that it is a problem for boat users, and also when it washes ashore as it is unsightly and smelly, and for wildlife, as it smothers intertidal plants and animals. However, as the root cause is the nutrients it is not something that the Conservancy can deal with on its own. Research by the Environment Agency has shown that over 90% of nutrients in the harbour come in through the harbour entrance. The other small contributions are made by the sewage treatment plants, the streams feeding into the harbour which receive inputs from further afield and ‘diffuse’ pollution from around the shore.
