Location
Office pontoon – Poole Quay Boat Haven, Poole, England.
Placement date
February 2023
Design
7 x 1m HDPE tubes
Depth
1m below pontoon deck
Sponsor
Poole Harbour Commissioners
Objective
Increase the density and diversity of marine species, especially fish and molluscs
Observation
April 2023 SeaHive surfaces covered with algae
Observations
Observer: David Francis
Date: 2 August 2023
Time: 1245 hrs
Conditions: Strong ebbing tidal flow.
The SeaHive suspended from the pontoon in the Poole Quay Boat Haven in February 2023 has been rapidly and thickly colonised by a variety of filter feeding animals, including Sea Squirts (Tunicates) and sponges. These filter feeders help to remove organic material from the water, and provide refuge for crabs and prawns. Many juvenile fish have also been seen in and around the SeaHive, including Bass and Mullet.
Update 27 September 2023
SeaHive at PQBH on 27 September 2023. Credit: D Francis
Update 6th March 2024
The sea water around the PQBH was thick with silt brought down to the marina by the local river following recent heavy rain inland. Sea Squirts had closed many of their entrance and exit funnels, and appeared to be covered with silt and organic debris. The expectation is that the Sea Squirts will start to be replaced by mussels, oysters, sponges and barnacles later this year.
