Please note that following the storm damage to the north harbour wall over the winter, the navigation light at the end of the north wall is not operational. There is also a quantity of fallen masonry lying within the harbour. Entry should only be attempted during daylight hours.
Until the harbour repairs are completed we can not accommodate visitor berths.
On behalf of North Berwick Harbour Trust, NB Movies is presenting a second screening of Barbie on 17 November at 7.30pm at North Berwick Community Centre, Main Hall, 8 Law Road, North Berwick, EH39 4PN.
The nett proceeds of this will be donated to the Harbour Trust towards the repair costs from the recent storm damage.
Alongside the amazing new mural there is a photographic exhibition in the Seabird Centre (next to the boat office) showcasing all the plastics, and many more, that were used in the mural project .. all found on one tiny stretch of a local beach. The exhibition is FREE and open every day until the end of June. Here are some examples of what’s on show… hope to see you there!
On Saturday 25th March between 1pm – 4pm we are inviting members of the public to North Berwick Harbour to the launch of a unique artwork created from marine plastic to raise awareness about plastic pollution and the serious damage it inflicts on our natural environment.
At 8 metres long, the mural is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and makes a powerful statement that seeks to encourage individuals to take action. Accompanying the mural is a photography exhibition documenting the 100 beach cleans that collected the plastic and the creation of the mural. The exhibition will be free to view during the event on the 25th, but will be on display for around 3 months as part of the Seabird Centres Discovery Experience if you wish to visit at a later date.
The artwork was the idea of Jerba Campervans and Caledonian Horticulture, who in partnership with the North Berwick Harbour Trust, commissioned an award-winning local artist to create a unique, colourful mural made entirely from plastic recovered from a local beach. During the Covid lockdown, East Lothian local Elizabeth Vischer set herself the challenge to complete 100 beach cleans. Over the picks off a 200m stretch at Longniddry Bents no.3. she collected 26,513 pieces of plastic, around half of which have been used in the mural.
Located at North Berwick Harbour, close to the Bass Rock, the mural will stand as a daily reminder of the pollution in our local seas.
If you’d like to try and help with the issue of marine plastic there are some easy things you can do:
• Pick Up 5! Every time you visit the beach (or go on any walk), why not challenge yourself to take 5 pieces of litter home with you. If everybody did this, it would soon have a big impact.
• Don’t flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet, particularly wet wipes and sanitary items as these often end up in the sea.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle. There is a reason reduce is listed first, it is the most important step in helping avoid marine plastic. Carry a reusable bag with you, choose loose fruit and veg, think before using helium balloons and disposable bbqs, take a refillable bottle with you. All these actions will help reduce the amount of litter on our beaches and in our seas.
To get involved in future beach cleans visit www.scottishcoastalcleanup.co.uk.
Our Harbour Master, Ross, is currently off work and likely to be off for the next 4 weeks. In his absence Sandy Brodie, the Harbour Operations Manager will assume all authority of the Harbour Master. Sandy can be contacted here
A rise in marine life disturbances being reported and the predicted rise in numbers of visitors to our coastlines due to the stay local and staycation messages for Summer 2021, has led to the creation of the Operation Seabird (#opseabird) campaign which has been designed to educate and inform visitors to our coastlines.
Operation Seabird is the brainchild of Geoff Edmond, the National Wildlife Coordinator for the RSPCA. Whilst working with North Yorkshire and Humberside Police there were increased reports of dolphins being seen in the area attracting close attention and creating disturbance concerns as well as increasing reports of disturbance to seals.
Recreational marine crafts had also been spotted getting close to the cliffs and disturbing the nesting seabirds who live there.
Geoff and his team established there was a joint prescribed need by the community and the local area to provide positive education and information to visitors in coastal areas. Operation Seabird hopes to tackle these problems by providing education and guidance to prevent wildlife disturbances from occurring in the first place and prosecute with the support of the local police forces and the MMO where necessary.
Geoff said:
The Message of Operation Seabird is that we want people to enjoy the beautiful wildlife in this country, but we don’t want it to be disturbed. People need to have respect and to know when to keep a safe distance from marine life. The RSPCA values the endorsement of the MMO in the Operation Seabird programme.
By being a partner in Operation Seabird, organisations like the MMO are in agreement with the message to the general public to watch seals, dolphins, nesting birds from a safe distance and if any disturbances are witnessed, to report to the relevant authorities.
Due to the success of Operation Seabird locally in North and East Yorkshire this will be launched nationally on the 4 June 2021 at North Bay Beach in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire Police and Humberside police are planning to be in attendance as well as representatives from MMO and RSPCA.
Targeted ‘Days of Action’ events will be taking place at UK coastlines across the Summer to focus on the specific concerns regarding marine life for that area. This is a police led operation, which is now being adopted by other coastal Police Forces who are embracing this operation, working with the MMO and RSPCA in partnership with local nature partnerships and other conservation organisations.
The overall aim will be to raise the profile of the programme, engaging with boat operators, jet ski operators and the public, and providing clear guidance on how to protect the marine wildlife in that area.
The Isle of May Nature Reserve manager has issued a code of conduct for visitors to the isle.
If you are planning a visit to the Isle of May please read the following document
Isle of May NNR Voluntary Code of Conduct
The code is good advice with regard to the all the islands near North Berwick to protect the vulnerable wildlife.
North Berwick Harbour is subject to the Scottish Government Level 2 restrictions. Find out the rules on what you can and cannot do at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-level-2/
Activity related guidance can be found at:
Public toilets, serviced by East Lothian Council, are open at the harbour. Additional facilities, including accessible public toilets open from 9.00am to 8.00pm, are located at Quality Street, North Berwick, 320m away along Victoria Road:
North Berwick Harbour Trust Association is seeking to recruit additional members to serve on the committee of the Trust. If you are interested in promoting our charitable objectives and the interests of the harbour and its users, and are prepared to give some of your time and skills then please get in touch.
The positions are unpaid and for an undefined term. For further information and an application pack please contact Jane McMinn by email chair@nbharbour.org.uk; alternatively visit our web site at www.nbharbour.org.uk
The Trust is looking for applicants with a wide range of skills and in particular skills in Project Management; Property Management and Maintenance; and Software Systems including financial. Preference will be given to applicants who live within approximately 15 miles of North Berwick.
Interviews are expected to be held during September.
