Solent Forum Members Meetings

Please note in an effort to minimise the use of single use plastics we no longer use badges for our meetings, please could you bring your own name badge or ID card if you have one. We also specify non plastic use for catering and try and source venues that are accessible by public transport.

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Autumn 2025 Meeting - 15 October 2025

The Forum will next meet on 15th October at the UKSA in Cowes. Please note this meeting is for members only and booking is essential.

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Spring 2025 Meeting - 13 March 2025

The Forum will next meet on 13 March 2025 at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. Please note this meeting is for Solent Forum members only and booking is essential, you will not be able to access the building if you haven't booked.

Download the Agenda.

Meeting Presentations

• Solent Forum Update - Kate Ansell, Solent Forum
• Metals in the Solent - Prof Gordon Watson, University of Portsmouth
• Technology development at NOC and work in the Itchen and other local rivers - Dr Allison Schaap, Associate Head of the Ocean Technology and Engineering Group
• An update on SPA condition assessment using Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA as a case study - Jess Taylor and Connor Reid, Natural England
• Highlights of Southern Water’s environmental delivery programmes in the Solent area for AMP 8 (2025-2030) – Joff Edevane, Environment and Water Quality Lead, Southern Water
• Aquaculture development in Langstone Harbour - Meg Roberts, Langstone Harbour Board
   

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Autumn 2024 Meeting - 16 October 2024

Meeting Presentations

• SF Business Plan survey results - Karen McHugh, Solent Forum
• ABP Removal Progamme of Abandoned Boats - Pippa Moody, ABP Southampton
• Assessing the Impact of Marine Debris on the Spread of Invasive Non-Native Species in The Solent - Luke Perry, University of Plymouth
• Competitive Angling as a Scientific Tool (CAST) project findings - Christina Hunt, University of Portsmouth
• Environmental risks of car tyre leachate pollutants - Henry Obanya, University of Portsmouth
• HMNB Portsmouth maintenance dredging – potential for re-use?- Jackie Lavender, RHDV
• Saltmarsh restoration on the River Hamble - Luke Helmer, Blue Marine Foundation
• Seagrass cafe and boat user survey - Emily Stroud, Hants and Wight Wildlife Trust
• 'Shore Gathering Management in MPAs- Emily Condie, Southern IFCA
• Recreational Activity Surveys from ReMEDIES -Tim Ferrero, Hants and Wight Wildlife Trust

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Spring 2024 Meeting - 13 March 2024

Meeting Presentations

• Solent Forum Update and Introduction to Business Planning - Kate Ansell, Solent Forum
• Work of the UK Sailing Academy - Julia Hutchinson, UKSA 
• Hurst Spit to Lymington Strategy - Rhian Edwards, Environment Agency
• Sea the Value - Andrew VanDerSchatte Olivier, University of Portsmouth
• a.) Developing a Solent Marine and Coast LNRS - Kate Ansell, Solent Forum
• b.) Developing a Solent Marine and Coast LNRS - Ian Boyd, Artecology (lead for IoW LNRS)
• Competitive Angling as a Scientific Tool - Dr Christina Hunt, University of Portsmouth

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Autumn 2023 Meeting 

Meeting Presentations

• Solent Forum Update - Karen McHugh, Solent Forum
• Solent Biosecurity Plans launch - Kate Ansell, Solent Forum
• Seascape Restoration Research Network: Integrating finance and biodiversity – Dr Karolina Skalska, University of Portsmouth
• Changing Marine Habitats: Risks and Opportunities - Christine Sams and Dr Claire Evans, National Oceanography Centre  
• Angling for Sustainability - Peter Davies, University of Plymouth  
• Bottom Towed Fishing Gear Management in the Southern IFCA District - Emily Condie, Southern IFCA  

Hot Topics

• The Use of Heart Rate Monitors to Determine the Effects of Environmental Stressors in The Common Shore Crab (Caricinus maenus) - Emily Price, University of Portsmouth (bursary award winner)
• Quantifying microplastics in Southampton Water estuary and investigating microplastic ingestion in the local cnidarian polyp - Martha McKee, University of Southampton (bursary award winner)
• Solent Biodiversity Credits - Louise McCallum, Blue Marine Foundation  

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Spring 2023 Meeting

Meeting Presentations

• Solent Forum Update - Karen McHugh, Solent Forum
• Solent Seascape Project – Louise MacCallum, Blue Marine Foundation
• Coastal Historic Landfills – Prof Alex Ford, University of Portsmouth 
• Hook Lake Intertidal Habitat Creation: A feasibility study – Lauren Burt, Coastal Partners
• Water Quality in the Solent and Sea the Value Project Introduction - Prof Gordon Watson, University of Portsmouth

Hot Topics

• Solent to Sussex Bay Restoration Inventory - Sam Winton, University of Portsmouth
• Feeding rate and respiration rate of Arcuatula senhousia compared to native European shellfish - Mike Clark Bursary award winner Kate Dey from University of Portsmouth
• Stakeholder Engagement within Solent Restoration Projects: A Success Story - Kirstyn May from University of Portsmouth working with Hants and Wight WT
• Biodiversity work with Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership – Artecology, Ian Boyd  

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Autumn Meeting 2022

Meeting Presentations

1. Solent Forum Update - Karen McHugh, Solent Forum
2. England Coast Path: Solent Update - John Truswell, Natural England
3. Mitigating risk of introduction and spread of marine INNS through pathway assessments and biosecurity planning. Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy, APEM Ltd
4. CHaPRoN: Chichester Harbour. Protection and Recovery of Nature. Sarah Chatfield, Chichester Harbour Conservancy
5. CHASM: Crustaceans, Habitat And Sediment Movement. Jane Cunningham, Manhood Peninsula Partnership
   

Hot Topics

• Solent Invasive Non-Native Species - Natural England
• Novel sensors to measure flood hazard - NOC, Southampton
• Sandown CSO Pathfinder - Southern Water
• Solent Plastics Pollution hub
• Solent Plastics Pollution hub media pack

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