Report Dec 09

Notes from December 09 meeting

Our December meeting opened with an appeal from Jackie. Could anyone with Excel please help to enter Pauline's Natural History index file? Even taking one letter of the alphabet would help. Re Paul Tarling's proposed visit to Loch Ryan he has since emailed me to say Monday Feb 1st would be best. 10.30ish to 2ish with soup at Soleburn. We'll get names and further details at the next meeting.
KNHG member Jeff Wells gave us a fascinating insight into 'Seaweed World' starting by telling us that 'seaweed' is a misnomer as it is not exclusive to the sea and it is not a weed. Seaweeds are algae as they lack roots, seed, flowers and vascular tissue. We saw pictures of the many species which grow around our shores each having different characteristics. They have complicated sex lives but still manage to produce seaweedlings in vast numbers. Like land plants, different seaweeds have their favourite places to grow and also like land plants they have many different uses in industry and medicine. Jeff then moved on to his favourite subject - the culinary use of seaweed. Seaweed is very nutritious and is widely eaten in oriental countries. It is hardly eaten at all in the West. Here, no seaweed is poisonous but some are more palatable than others. We saw pictures of the harvesting and preparation of the nine most edible varieties and then we got to taste them!! Jeff had brought along many samples including homemade Dulse and Potato Soup (which was well liked), lava bread, nori biscuits and kelp in chilli sauce.
We all enjoyed the experience and went home with some recipes. Thank you, Jeff for your hard work in getting everything together.

You can get a dulse soup recipe here.

Dulse Palmaria palmata growing on a Laminaria species

Didemnum species growing on a kelp holdfast

The next meeting is Monday January 11th in the Clash at 2pm.

Chairman's welcome, updates and reports
Future events - visit to Loch Ryan
Presentation by Ian Burrett from Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN)
Members' finds and discussions
Date of next meeting

A Very Happy New Year to everyone.

Rena

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