THE Shores of South Devon Marine Interest Life Association held an Art/Photo launch event on at the Maltings Taphouse Newton Abbot.

The exhibition features local intertidal marine life recorded and photographed on South Devon Shores over the last three years in the geographical area between the River Exe and the River Tamar particularly in Teignbridge and Torbay.

The exhibition was curated by Toby Sherwin, Mike Puleston and Anne Gwynn and featured photographs by Toby, Mike and mixed media art by Anne and framed seaweed pressings by Mike.

Mike said: ‘It was a really enjoyable evening, and we had a very positive response from the customers of the Taphouse that evening who ventured upstairs to explore the exhibition. We also had around 15 people who attended the event and a slide presentation by myself of the images and pictures being shown tonight.

‘Included were some stunning photographs on show from SOSD members and supporters by Guy Heath, Jana Fischer, Chris Bryan and Cathy Oetegenn.

‘We selected an amazing image by Guy, who is just completing a Marine Biology degree at Plymouth of a Giant Goby at Wembury Marine Reserve this summer.

‘It is a protected species and only found at a small number of sites in Devon and Cornwall.’ Teignbridge and Devon County Councillor Alistair Dewhirst also praised the selection and quality of our exhibits tonight and like others was somewhat surprised that such colourful and fascinating marine animals and seaweeds are found on our South Devon shores.

Included were some common species but also some much less well known marine species, found on a variety of shores and habitats including estuaries, beaches and rockpools.

‘The aim of our Association is to showcase and record the diverse and fascinating marine fauna and flora in South Devon, the exhibition has guide sheets, SOSD leaflets and membership forms which only costs £10 a year.

Please come along if in the area as the exhibition is free and open daily within the Maltings Taphouse opening hours from 4pm until January 30, besides which the Maltings is an amazing Victorian building and the Taphouse is friendly and welcoming offering a great range of specialist drinks.

‘Many thanks to Chris and Bex from the Maltings Taphouse for supporting us in arranging the exhibition and all who came along this evening.’

Mike will be giving a free talk at the exhibition on intertidal marine life of the Teign Estuary from Newton Abbot Town Quay to Shaldon at 7.30pm on Thursday 26th January 2023.