Challenges facing Chichester Harbour laid out before Princess Anne

Princess Anne was hosted at Bosham Sailing Club by John Nelson, chairman of Chichester Harbour Trust, supported by Richard Craven, Chichester Harbour Conservancy director and harbour master, and Paddy Mirams, commodore of Bosham Sailing Club.

Mr Nelson told her: “We are all passionate about the harbour. It is one of the wonders of the south of England but it is challenged at the moment.”

Mr Craven told her about the harbour and how it was formed.

He said: “It remains one of the few places in the south of England where we have a wildness and a chance for people to return to nature.

“It is a really important place for Natural England, one of the most important in the country.

“It is important the younger generation are imbued with a sense of wonder. This place engenders great passion and the stakeholders really do enhance what we are able to do.

“There are lots of challenges, largely from coastal squeeze, nitrates, development and, increasingly, sea level rise but there is a really positive message that we can turn things around.”

Nicky Horter, Chichester Harbour Trust administrator, also talked through some of the challenges facing the harbour, from natural causes and human sources.

She explained a large area of saltmarsh has been lost and the sea level is rising by 6mm a year.

During a boat trip, Princess Anne was shown some of the key nesting sites, such as Ella Nore Spit and Stakes Island.

Afterwards, Mr Nelson said: “She took a great interest in the wildlife, the environment and education. She also spent a lot of time talking to the volunteers about the threats facing the harbour in terms of the environment.