Menai Strait Partnership Forum - end of year Workshop

On Thursday the 7th of November, the Menai Strait Partnership Forum held its end-of-year workshop to pull together all the feedback over this last year collected from the community, advisory panel and organisations to workshop them into viable projects.

These public meetings are a cornerstone of the forum, ensuring everyone has a voice and fostering collaboration to tackle pressing issues.

what We Covered

The meeting featured a full agenda discussing the work over the last year including the successful #lovethemenai campaign, before the group broke out into workshops.

The workshop was designed to get public feedback on 5 projects that have been put together based of the feedback over this last year:

Pollution - This initiative would focus on developing a network of pollution monitoring stations (in partnership with local stakeholders), community involvement in water sampling, and practical interventions for both point and diffuse pollution sources. The project would aim to create measurable improvements in water quality, with citizen science and local collaboration as key components.

Restoration Plan and Initiatives - This project focuses on restoring key areas of the Menai Strait by improving water quality and enhancing habitats. It aims to reduce agricultural and urban runoff through the creation of buffer zones and restore biodiversity through habitat restoration and tree planting.

Tourism and Heritage - This project aims to promote sustainable tourism while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Menai Strait. It will focus on sharing local stories, landmarks, and traditions to highlight the area's unique history. The initiative will encourage eco-friendly tourism practices, such as low-impact boating and sustainable recreation, to minimise environmental impact while engaging visitors in responsible and educational experiences. By fostering collaboration between local communities and tourism stakeholders, the project will ensure that both heritage and natural beauty are protected for future generations.

Education and Advocacy - This project aims to raise community awareness about the environmental challenges facing the Menai Strait and engage local stakeholders in protecting the area. The initiative will involve organising public workshops for water users, developing targeted campaigns to hold polluters accountable, and running social media and community outreach to highlight pressing issues like water pollution and habitat degradation. By fostering a collective responsibility for protecting the Strait, the project will empower the community to take action through education, advocacy, and strategic pressure on polluters. The workshops will provide practical advice to recreational users, helping them reduce their environmental impact, particularly around sensitive habitats and high-traffic shipping lanes.

Mapping the Future - Envisioning a future for the Menai Strait that balances ecological health, economic activity, and community well-being. What is the future role of MSPF and how do we ensure a legacy and sustain it into the future.

Key Takeaways

1. Pollution:
   The community expressed concern over pollution issues stemming from agricultural runoff, sewage outflows, and industrial activity and focusing on a specific region was highlighted. Light and noise pollution were also discussed in addition to mitigation schemes.

2. Restoration
   A key takeaway from restoration was restoring natural habitats such as native trees in addition to working with landowners to create buffer zones.

3. Tourism and Heritage
   Sustainable tourism was a hot topic. We explored ways to better educate recreational users and boating companies about protecting sensitive habitats and adhering to wildlife codes. Suggestions like accreditation for local operators and installing protective buoys were discussed.

4. Advocacy and Enforcement:
   There was a strong call for holding polluters accountable. Attendees emphasised the need for stronger legislation, better reporting systems, and community-driven advocacy campaigns.

5. Mapping the Future:
   One of the most inspiring parts of the meeting was the community’s enthusiasm for the Forum so far. It was agreed that we should keep attending events and coordinating projects within the Menai. One of the key takeaways was that we should be more active with newsletters.

Moving forward we are gathering all the feedback from the workshop and will publish the findings in our Impact report. We are excited to keep the momentum going into the new year! Subscribe below to stay up to date!