Portsmouth schoolchildren help rescue crabs from Canoe Lake ahead of improvement works

Schoolchildren in Portsmouth have taken part in an unusual wildlife rescue operation, helping to relocate crabs from Canoe Lake in Southsea ahead of work to improve the lake's water quality.

Pupils from Ark Ayrton Primary Academy and Bramble Infant and Nursery School joined forces with Portsmouth City Council and experts from the University of Portsmouth on Wednesday 14 October to help protect marine life.

The children used hook-free crab lines and pots to carefully collect crabs from the lake before they were safely released back into the sea.

Marine scientists from the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Marine Sciences were also involved, helping pupils identify and measure the crabs.

The information gathered will provide valuable ecological data to support ongoing research into the health of local marine environments.

The rescue operation was organised ahead of a trial programme to remove excess sediment from Canoe Lake, scheduled for Thursday 15 October.

Studies have shown that sediment has accumulated in the lake over many years, leaving some areas increasingly shallow and contributing to problems with water quality and seasonal algae growth.

The trial aims to establish how removing the sediment could improve the lake's long-term environmental health.

Excess sediment can reduce oxygen levels, restrict water movement and encourage algae growth, particularly during warmer weather.

Portsmouth City Council says the results of the trial will help determine how the lake should be managed in the future.

Councillor Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport, welcomed the project and the opportunity for young people to get involved in protecting their local environment.

He said: "Canoe Lake is one of Portsmouth's most loved open spaces and an important habitat for a variety of wildlife.

"This project is a great example of organisations coming together to care for the local environment while giving young people the opportunity to get involved in hands-on conservation work.

"The crab rescue will help protect wildlife while we carry out an important trial to better understand how we can improve the long-term health of the lake."

The project also provided an educational opportunity for pupils to learn about marine biology and the importance of protecting coastal habitats.

Professor Alex Ford, from the University of Portsmouth, said: “It’s great to be working with the council, not only in rescuing the crabs but providing an opportunity for school children to engage in marine biology. This project will allow them to generate their own data to use in class for a wide range of subjects”

Canoe Lake is one of Southsea's best-known recreational areas and provides an important habitat for marine wildlife.

The council hopes the improvement programme will help address long-standing environmental issues while ensuring the lake remains a healthy habitat for wildlife and an enjoyable place for residents and visitors.

The sediment removal trial forms part of wider efforts to improve the ecological health of Canoe Lake, with the findings expected to inform future maintenance and restoration work.

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