What is CHASM you may ask? CHASM stands for Crustaceans Habitat and Sediment Movement and is an informal partnership that was set up in early 2020 to examine issues raised by the fisherman of Selsey Bill. The partnership includes fisherman, universities, local organisations and businesses - but who are the people at the core of CHASM? This piece will give you an introduction into the lead people behind the partnership and will be the first of a fortnightly feature to keep you updated with the history, journey and work.
Jane Cunningham works for Chichester District Council as MPP Project Officer and is one of the lead partners on the CHASM project (Crustaceans, Habitat and Sediment Movement). Jane initiated CHASM in 2020, and works with many organisations to try and answer the all-important questions from the Selsey fishermen that first prompted the project – why are we catching so few crabs and lobsters and why is there so much sediment? Jane holds a degree in Oceanography and Marine Science from the University of Southampton; an MSc in Environmental Resource Management and an MPhil in sediment accretion using Caesium 137 as a radiometric marker, both from the University of Portsmouth
Dr Heidi Burgess is a Chartered Civil Engineer and a Principal Lecturer at University of Brighton. Heidi brings to CHASM over 25 years of research interest into Nature Based Solutions to provide long-term sustainable solutions to flood management and bio-diversity problems. Her work includes looking at the natural processes of our coasts, estuaries and rivers via sediment dynamics, hydrodynamics, water management and geochemistry.
Dr Charlie Thompson is an Associate Professor in Coastal Processes at the University of Southampton, undertaking research in sediment dynamics and morphodynamics. Charlie is also the director of the Channel Coastal Observatory, part of the National Network of Coastal Monitoring Programmes of England. This network monitors change around the coast of England, making the data freely available from the website. Charlie bring her extensive knowledge and skills to help investigate the role of coastal change around the Selsey Bill fishing grounds, and potential impacts on crustacean stock.
Martin Davies a HSE commercial diver specialising in underwater photography and videography. Â Highly motivated, diligent, and competent he has worked with various heritage and conservation organisations over the last 20 years. Specialising in Photogrammetry, stills and video for film production companies. Martin brings a wealth of knowledge on underwater imaging to CHASM and has been involved in sample collections for many of the sites that are being monitored. He is the Licensee of A1 Submarine in Bracklesham Bay, which has allowed CHASM to use this as one of the sites for project samples.
Mulberry Marine Experiences – a second-generation family business based in Selsey. Over the last 20 years we have seen many changes, and this has changed the focus of the business. In 2021 we became a Community Interest Company and describe ourselves as a Sustainable and Ethical Business working in partnership to help improve our community. Two members of the family have been involved in CHASM. Steve Frampton who worked with Martin Davies on initial sample collections, he is now retired.  Anya Frampton who is using her passion and knowledge to help with CHASM public engagement, with a focus on the young people of Selsey and providing people who would not normally be able to get involved, developing community awareness with the rich marine life and fishing heritage of Selsey.
We will look into the history of fishing in Selsey and CHASM in the next blog.
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