Project Description

Coastwatch (https://coastwatch.org/europe/) is a European initiative that has been operating since 1987. It relies on volunteers to survey their coastline twice a year (spring and autumn) and takes into account biodiversity, erosion, pollution and other factors. For the survey the coastline is divided into 500 meter long segments which can be booked by individuals or groups to be surveyed at low tide. The survey form is easy to fill in and doesn't require any special knowledge on ecology, biodiversity, etc.

This project envisages the formation of a core group of volunteers in partnership with schools, local groups and organisations and in cooperation with Coastwatch Ireland.

Project Justification & Objectives

The Coastwatch surveys provide the opportunity to monitor the coastline in an easy and standardised form.

Because the main feature of the Loop Head Peninsula is a very diverse coast, the Coastwatch Project would help monitoring and subsequently managing problems like erosion and pollution and would so also link with other proposed projects like Hemp4Water and Loop Head Climate Research & Resilience.

In the long run this would benefit farming, tourism as well as the environment.

Potential Project Stakeholders*

• Loop Head national schools and Kilkee Community College

• Tourism businesses

• Farmers

• Coastwatch Ireland

• Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation

• Kilkee Subaqua Club

• Querrin Pier Community Development Group

• CDA

*Potential Project Stakeholders means all stakeholders have not necessarily yet been contacted to help co-design the project, but are mentioned here as they would be a desirable project partner. We may have forgotten some - please let us know!