Back

Conservation   

Footpath   

Groups   

Water quality   

Education

All users of Langstone Harbour have a duty to respect and protect the environment and the wildlife that lives there.  When visiting the Harbour, please help us protect this special area by observing the following guidelines...

Keeping the Harbour tidy

Pollution in the harbour is not only unsightly but can be hazardous to the health of humans and wildlife.  Waste management is an essential part of maintaining the estuary environment and the visual aesthetics of the harbour. 

Just as you would on land, please take your empties, plastic bags, drink cans and all other rubbish to a designated skip, or better still, recycle what you can. 

Please use non-toxic solutions to clean your boat whenever possible i.e. products avoiding chlorine and bleach which can be toxic to flora and fauna and phosphates which can encourage algal growth.   

Oil and fuel spills

Although the damaging effects of large-scale oils spills are well documented it only takes a small amount of oil to cause harm to aquatic life.  In fact, the majority of oil pollution in rivers and the sea come from ever present sources like re-fuelling, engine emissions and oil leaks. 

Please consider carefully what you discharge into the harbour. Check your bilge water for contaminants before routine pumping, a bilge filter or an oil absorbent sock in the bilge is highly recommended.

Good maintenance of fuel lines, connections and seals helps avoid leaks.  Keep an oil absorbent pad on board in case you do have a leak or spill and never use detergent to clear it up.

Dispose of oil responsibly at a waste oil centre. This includes engine oil filters, oily rags, used engine oil and contaminated diesel.

 Approaching wildlife

How you approach and how close you can get to birds and wildlife without causing disturbance depends on the species and what time of year it is.  Some birds, such as nesting terns are very sensitive and disturbance may make them abandon a nest altogether.  Please take extra care around the Oyster Beds during the breeding season and keep clear of the RSPB islands.  Access to the reserve is restricted, thereby allowing birds to breed, feed and roost in an undisturbed state and the fragile habitats, with their specialised fauna, to develop naturally.  When navigating power driven craft, keep a reasonable distance from the islands as engine noise can also disturb resting and roosting birds.

On the water, use binoculars to get a better view of wildlife rather than getting too close and never approach directly, let them decide how close they want to be.  Keep your movements steady and your speed to a safe minimum.  If you see signs of disturbance e.g. sudden movements, flight (birds) or hurrying rather than slipping into the water (seals), then if possible, move away.   

When navigating in the harbour keep to the speed limit and slow down if you are creating excessive wash, it can erode banks, disturb nesting birds and damage sensitive vegetation. Be aware of engine noise as this too can disturb birds, power driven craft are encouraged to keep their distance from the islands.