Life on the Big Russel seabed amazes researcher

Wednesday 22nd September 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Dr Emma Sheehan with the equipment she has been using to record the life on the Big Russel seabed as a baseline so that any impact of tidal power generation can be gauged. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 1031028)

IT has not been plain sailing for one UK researcher providing tidal power experts with a rare glimpse of the Bailiwick’s uncharted seabed.

Post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Plymouth Dr Emma Sheehan has been gathering information about the seabed of the Big Russel and said the area was rich with animal and plant life.

‘It has been really excellent. What we have noticed is that a lot of the plant life is quite cropped because of the strong tides that go over their heads,’ said Dr Sheehan.

She said there were amazing sponges and soft coral and lots of chancre crabs and fish, including brill and bass.