This site presents information on the Chesil Multi-Media Project (CMMP). It describes the project's aims and activities associated with the Chesil Bank and The Fleet Nature Reserve and the Chesil Beach Visitors Centre.

CMMP started in 1997 and was intended to provide a focus for the innovative technical projects being started at that time. It now provides support to other projects such as the nesting little terns as well as pursuing its own projects.

• Measure and monitor the environmental factors that affect The Fleet and thereby gain a better understanding of the interactions within The Fleet and Chesil Beach environment

• Aid the interpretation of The Fleet to the general public visiting the Chesil Beach Visitors Centre

• Develop new data collection and interpretation systems for use by this and other Dorset environmental organizations

• Provide a long data series for The Fleet to help identify environmental changes.

The project started using a simple two sensor stand-alone data logger powered by solar and wind power. It evolved into the present system in 2000 when power and fibre-optic cables were installed. The basic infrastructure was in place by 2001. Since then more sensors and cameras have been continually added.

The infrastructure now supports seven video cameras and fifteen environmental sensors. There are also two stand-alone dataloggers operating in The Fleet.