Norfolk anglers join researchers to tackle algal blooms on Broads
Anglers are working alongside academics on a project to tackle toxic algal blooms. The Prymnesium blooms can occur on the Broads, producing toxins that can lead to mass fish kills and have a knock-on effect on the angling industry. The University of East Anglia, the Broads Authority, and the Norfolk pike angling community are working to find solutions to prevent its harmful effects. "We are making significant strides in understanding and heading off harmful algal blooms," said Prof Rob Field, who is pro-vice chancellor for the faculty of science.
"This research is crucial for the future of the Broads' ecosystem and economy."The initiative has received strong support from Norfolk's angling community, including a donation of about £4,000 towards the research effort. John Currie, chairman of the Norwich and District Pike Club, said: "Local anglers well know the devastating effects caused by a toxic Prymnesium bloom and the negative effects on the whole ecosystem."
The university will use laboratory work and field studies to identify specific locations at risk of the algal blooms and what factors can cause them. Andrea Kelly, the Broads Authority's environment policy advisor, said: "Preventing Prymnesium algal blooms will help protect populations of fish, Broads angling and improve our management of the navigation."
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BBC News
07-04-2025
- BBC News
Norfolk anglers join researchers to tackle algal blooms on Broads
Anglers are working alongside academics on a project to tackle toxic algal blooms. The Prymnesium blooms can occur on the Broads, producing toxins that can lead to mass fish kills and have a knock-on effect on the angling industry. The University of East Anglia, the Broads Authority, and the Norfolk pike angling community are working to find solutions to prevent its harmful effects. "We are making significant strides in understanding and heading off harmful algal blooms," said Prof Rob Field, who is pro-vice chancellor for the faculty of science. "This research is crucial for the future of the Broads' ecosystem and economy."The initiative has received strong support from Norfolk's angling community, including a donation of about £4,000 towards the research effort. John Currie, chairman of the Norwich and District Pike Club, said: "Local anglers well know the devastating effects caused by a toxic Prymnesium bloom and the negative effects on the whole ecosystem." The university will use laboratory work and field studies to identify specific locations at risk of the algal blooms and what factors can cause them. Andrea Kelly, the Broads Authority's environment policy advisor, said: "Preventing Prymnesium algal blooms will help protect populations of fish, Broads angling and improve our management of the navigation." Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Norfolk or BBC Suffolk.
BBC News
11-03-2025
- BBC News
How North Sea tanker collision could impact Norfolk coastline
Academics have raised fears over the ecological impact the dramatic crash involving an oil tanker and cargo vessel could have on the Norfolk two ships – including one carrying jet fuel - went up in flames in the North Sea off the coast of East Yorkshire on the air quality at ground level has been recorded as at normal levels, experts said the event could damage the environment of the protected Norfolk biologist Prof Ben Garrod said "we should be doing all we can to ensure this never happens again". Thirty six people were rescued from the collision and one crew member remained unaccounted for. Prof Garrod, from the University of East Anglia's School of Biological Sciences, said the coast's shallow bay, The Wash, could be particularly impacted. "The Wash is recognised for its local, national and international ecological importance for flora and fauna alike," he said."Some migrate there, others breed there, and for many species of plants, fungi, and animals, it's home."The possible addition of tonnes of highly soluble toxic material which shuts down the respiration system into such a fragile and important habitat will likely have far-reaching impacts on our local wildlife, especially fish, birds and mammals. "We should be doing all we can to monitor the impact that the release of tonnes of ecologically damaging chemicals has on our fragile marine environment." The collision occurred at about 10:00 GMT, sparking fires and a mass evacuation, with one crew member saying the incident "came from out of the blue".The Stena Immaculate ship, the US-flagged oil and chemical tanker, was carrying jet fuel on behalf of the US Solong meanwhile, a Portuguese-flagged container vessel, denied that it was transporting 15 containers of sodium cyanide."There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical and these containers will continue to be monitored," said Ernst Russ, the ship's owner. Dr Paul Johnston, senior scientist at Greenpeace Research Laboratories at the University of Exeter, said he was "very concerned"."The wind is blowing from the north and will drive any material that is released towards the north Norfolk coast," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme."There are bird colonies, there will be seals hauled out, dolphins and porpoises passing through the area and animals, together with fish and marine vertebrate."[They will] all be very vulnerable to toxic events, from both oils and chemicals." 'Very, very difficult' Videos from the scene showed large clouds of smoke billowing out from the tanker, and the firm which managed the Stena Immaculate reported "multiple explosions"."The jet fuel will continue burning [but] the heavy fuel oil is more of a problem if it comes ashore - it will fell beaches and be very difficult to clean up," added Dr Johnston."Any containers that go over the side are likely to be a navigational hazard in so far as any ship that strikes them could become disabled or even sink."When asked if he thought this could result in the largest environmental disaster for a generation, he said it was a "very difficult thing to predict"."And that's why so much effort is being put into salvage efforts in order to minimise the amount of material entering the sea."An ounce of prevention is worth many tonnes of cure but what we can learn from previous events in terms of clean-up is that it is very, very difficult." Global importance Prof Alastair Grant, from the University of East Anglia's school of environmental sciences, said "a detailed evaluation" of the environmental risks posed by the jet fuel would need to be conducted. "It contains up to 25% aromatic hydrocarbons, which are relatively toxic and slow to break down in the environment," he said."This makes it approximately 50 times more toxic to aquatic life than diesel oil, which in turn is more toxic than crude oil." These concerns were also echoed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT), which said "any pollution spillage could be devastating" for habitats in the area.A spokesperson said: "Depending on wind direction and contaminants, The Wash and North Norfolk coast, including NWT Holme Dunes nature reserve could potentially be at risk."These areas are home to internationally important populations of seabirds and fragile habitats."We'll continue to keep a close eye on the situation and work with marine authorities if needed." While the incident happened in UK waters, the responsibility for the investigation will fall to the United States and Marine Accident Investigation Branch, however, is already gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is also "rapidly assessing" the potential environment impact of the it is considered safe to do so, the BBC understands the MCA will deploy equipment to contain and disperse the oil government agency is also working with the owners of the ships and the Department for Transport to understand potential risks to public to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), any public health risk on shore is deemed to be very low. 'Hugely grateful' Labour MP Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said she was grateful to HM Coastguard, the RNLI and emergency services for their response."They were on the scene swiftly, have helped rescue those in immediate danger and I know they will continue to work tirelessly over the coming days."My thoughts are with all those involved, especially the family of the missing crew member."I am working closely with the MCA as they conduct an assessment of any counter pollution response which may be required over the coming days." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Telegraph
Why your work stress can stop your partner from sleeping
Workplace bullying impacts your partner's sleep as well as your own, with bad energy passing across the bed sheets, a new study has shown. Many people experience stress at work, and feeling belittled or abused by colleagues can wreak havoc on sleep patterns. But a new study from the University of East Anglia (UEA) shows that sleep problems are contagious, with partners suffering just as badly. 'It is very interesting that insomnia is contagious,' said Prof Ana Sanz-Vergel, from UEA's Norwich Business School. 'Partners appear to influence each other's sleep severity and sleep impact, which is not surprising since one individual's awakening could cause the other to wake up as well. 'If that's the case, then both of them can feel that lack of sleep interferes with their daily life.' The team conducted two studies. In the first, 147 employees were followed over five days, and in the second, 139 couples were followed for two months. In both the participants had to report on their exposure to workplace bullying, how often they ruminated angrily about their workplace, and whether they suffered from insomnia and poor sleep. The studies showed bullying indirectly affected sleep, mainly because people were dwelling on their bad experiences repeatedly, which prevented them from nodding off and caused fitful sleeping and waking up too early. 'Couple-oriented prevention' The research also found it impacted partners, who also experienced insomnia and poor sleep. 'Our results show that the effects of workplace bullying go beyond the individual and the work setting, impacting the partner's sleep as well,' added Prof Sanz Vergel. 'Couple-oriented prevention programmes in the context of the workplace are needed. 'This could help provide coping strategies to both members of the couple, which would in turn reduce rumination levels and insomnia.' Sleep is crucial to health, but more than a third of Britons sleep for less than six hours a night, according to the Sleep Council, while up to 20 per cent of people suffer from extreme daytime sleepiness. In 2023, a study by Harvard University found that regular restful sleep may extend life by nearly five years for men, and more than two years for women. The study also showed that eight per cent of deaths from any cause may be attributed to poor sleep patterns. Increased health risks Scientists have known for some time that not getting enough sleep increases the risk of a string of health complaints such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Just one night of poor sleep is enough to trigger a spike in a brain chemical linked to Alzheimer's disease, while people with sleep apnoea, a condition in which people repeatedly stop breathing at night, are at risk for developing mild cognitive impairment an average of 10 years earlier than people without the sleep disorder. In the new research, the team found a link between bad sleep and excessive ruminating about poor treatment at work. The researchers said that while reflecting on bullying may initially seem like a way to resolve issues or try to understand the situation, it can lead to more harm in the long run.
