The Studland Bay Marine Partnership is a partnership of stakeholders including conservation and boating organisations, academics, grassroots community groups and supporting local businesses formed to devise a solution that meets the needs of the public and recreational boaters to continue to enjoy the bay, whilst protecting and restoring the sensitive seagrass habitat at Studland.
NOVEMBER 2023 NEWS!
The Studland Bay Marine Partnership has been awarded £186,000 from the Marine Management Organisation’s Fisheries and Seafood Scheme to support the conservation of Studland Bay’s precious marine ecosystems. Studland Bay is home to Dorset’s most extensive seagrass meadow and provides a unique habitat for lots of important species like the Spiny Seahorse and the endangered undulate ray.
The new funding, which has been secured following a successful funding bid with Dorset Council, will contribute to a larger £248,000 conservation project to support this special site, the wildlife that live there, and the water users who enjoy it.
The project, which will see an additional 57 eco-moorings installed in the bay, and the continuation of the partnership’s research and monitoring programme, will be delivered by the Studland Bay Marine Partnership.
Funds from the award will also be used to complete the formulisation of the partnership, provide more information for boat users in the Studland and Poole harbour marina areas, and continue an engagement programme, led by the Dorset Coast Forum, throughout 2024 and beyond.
We will soon be launching our 2024 Donation Scheme for businesses and organisations to support match funding the FaSS award. Please contact Project Officer Sara for more details.
Contents
1. Overview
2. Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)
3. Navigating the Voluntary No Anchor Zone (VNAZ)
4. Public Consultation5. Research and Monitoring
6. What's happening now and how to pledge your support
Overview
One of the main reasons that many people come to this beautiful part of Dorset is the sea. Protecting our coasts, and the species that live along them, is essential. Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ) provide protected areas that not only benefit the myriad forms of life that live in, on, and next to, the sea, but also have a huge impact on the coastal communities of which we are very much a part. Studland Bay is home to the most extensive seagrass meadow in Dorset, however this important habitat is currently in an unfavourable condition. Seagrass beds provide a number of vital ecological functions. Seagrass beds stabilise sediments, provide habitat for species such as commercially important fish and seahorses, and act as a sink for atmospheric carbon. It is also home to bass and endangered undulate rays. Long-snouted seahorses are a designated feature of the MCZ and a protected species.
The sheltered conditions of the bay not only provide protection for sensitive habitats and species but is highly valued by boat and water users, and local businesses as an attractive environment for tourism and recreation. Also, importantly providing a sheltered refuge for both local boat users and those travelling long distances.
Locally most people recognise that conserving the seagrass habitat is essential, but it will be difficult to implement a Voluntary No Anchoring Zone (VNAZ) if there are no alternatives for boat users to use the bay. The Studland Bay Marine Partnership are working together to achieve these key outcomes:
Produce a mooring plan for Studland Bay by bringing stakeholders to gain agreement on location, timescale and proposed options for long-term funding.
Create a draft management strategy and vision for the next 10 years that all users of Studland Bay can believe in and work towards, to incorporate:
a. an eco-mooring management plan,
b. a plan of how to transition away from anchoring and conventional moorings,
c. potential seagrass restoration projects.
3. Future governance options paper for the bay including roles and responsibilities to deliver the strategy.
This work has been funded by the Championing Coastal Coordination (3Cs) project which is an Environment Agency initiative with support from Natural England, the Marine Management Organisation and the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.
SBMP Steering Group member Howard talking eco-moorings at South Beach, August 2023
Raising public awareness and greater understanding of marine conservation at Studland and how everyone can work together to achieve this, is at the heart of the partnership and we will continue to host engagement events, particularly during the boating season, both at Studland and the Poole Harbour area as a whole. We welcome opportunities to talk to the boating community, local organisations, educators and stakeholders and are always happy to bring our display eco-mooring with us - as seen on BBC Springwatch this year!
Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)
Anchor chain scouring the seabed and lifting the seagrass roots
Photo credit Neil Garrick-Maidment
Since the Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) was established in May 2019, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) held a call for evidence seeking views on a draft Studland Bay MCZ marine non-licensable activity assessment and a range of management options. Feedback concluded that management measures would be developed for anchoring, due to the pressure it causes at current levels towards the designated features of the MCZ.
Navigating the Voluntary No Anchoring Zone (VNAZ)
From December 2021, the MMO introduced a Voluntary No Anchoring Zone (VNAZ) in part of the bay currently used by recreational craft. The VNAZ was expanded from 1 June 2022 (see the MMO's Studland Bay MCZ Habitat Protection Strategy and website for more information). At all times, anchoring in emergency situations is still be permitted.
The MMO have indicated that a sustainable alternative to anchoring in the VNAZ could be achieved through the use of Advanced eco-Mooring Systems (AeMS) to protect the seagrass habitat whilst allowing continued use by recreational craft. The Studland Bay Marine Partnership is actively looking to encourage water enthusiasts and boat users to respect the seagrass by not anchoring at the known seagrass locations and use permitted moorings. Currently 31 eco-moorings are installed and available to boat users with more to be installed, subject to license, in spring 2024 with a target of 100 in the bay (including 12 existing moorings belonging to private owners converted into eco-moorings). Eco-moorings offer an environmentally friendly alternative as a helical screw anchor is installed into the seabed. An elastic rode is then attached, connecting the anchor system with the mooring buoy. The elastic rode will stretch at higher tides and contract at lower tides, so the equipment does not damage the surrounding seagrass.
The installation of the eco-moorings has been supported and carried out on behalf of the Studland Bay Marine Partnership by national boating business, boatfolk and are easily identified in the bay with their distinctive green and white markings. The first phase were installed in 2021 to to take pressure off the highly sensitive seagrass site in Studland Bay, an essential habitat for the UK’s native Spiny Seahorse, the eco-moorings provide an accessible alternative to anchoring, allowing boaters to help protect the fragile underwater ecosystems.
The location of sensitive seagrass habitats and eco-moorings in Studland, and around the UK, is being made simpler for water users through navigation apps such as savvy navvy and Navionics helping them to make informed decisions and choose to do their bit to protect this special habitat. This year hundreds of boat owners have again showed their support for the project by using an eco-mooring - check out the FAQs for more details on eco-moorings and how you can use them as an alternative to anchoring at Studland Bay this year.
Studland Bay has become the first UK contributor to recently launched global campaign, #ProtectOurBeds, supporting efforts to protect seagrass by providing eco-mooring data, as alternatives to anchoring.
#ProtectOurBeds is a new campaign between not-for-profit, Clean Sailors, the Ocean Conservation Trust and all-in-one navigation app, savvy navvy, supporting boaters to combat climate change by digitally mapping sensitive seabeds and eco-moorings across boating hotspots around the world.
The aim of ‘#ProtectOurBeds´ is to help stop vital seagrass being destroyed. By bringing greater awareness to water-users on where sensitive seabeds lie and encouraging them to use eco-moorings where available, the campaign aims to educate, inspire and encourage the boating community to make more informed anchoring choices when out on the water. As the first UK contributor, the Studland Bay Marine Partnership has provided the campaign with geo-location data of its 31 eco-mooring facilities in Studland Bay.
Seagrasses combat climate change by absorbing and storing huge amounts of carbon, but are estimated to be the fastest disappearing habitat on the planet mainly due to avoidable human activity.
MMO Map of Voluntary No Anchoring Zone (VNAZ) 
Studland Bay Marine Partnership Moorings Map June 2022
Public Consultation
Dorset Coast Forum have been providing the Studland Bay Marine Partnership with community, partner and stakeholder consultation since March 2021 when a facilitated formal engagement period to gain further input from stakeholders about three draft anchoring management options. A summary of the engagement can be found in the Studland Bay MCZ Engagement Feedback Report 2021. During the summer of 2022 public opinion on the draft 10-year management strategy, moorings plan and future governance options for Studland Bay was gathered and the Community Consultation Feedback Report 2022 was completed by DCF in November 2022 and reviewed by the Studland Bay Marine Partnership group to inform next steps.
This extensive engagement period with local residents and boat users was designed to understand their views on awareness and usage of the eco-moorings and the Voluntary No Anchor Zone. Of those surveyed, 58% of respondents said they were interested in the conservation of the seagrass habitat.
Research and Monitoring
University of Southampton research at Studland
From the start of the SBMP’s journey, and particularly given the historical contention in the bay, it was crucial to the partnership that restoration of the seagrass should be evidence driven. To support this a dedicated Research and Monitoring Group (RMG) was created, consisting of representatives from numerous academic institutions, conservation organisations and statutory bodies. As a partnership we are very fortunate to be working with leading experts in marine conservation, with experience across numerous fields including marine ecology, social science, oceanography, marine policy and coastal dynamics. Many of the members of the RMG have been involved directly in working in Studland Bay, bringing the benefits of a wealth of local experience to the team. The main aims of the Research and Monitoring Group are:
- Audit existing monitoring and research in Studland Bay
- Monitor the impacts of the eco-moorings within the VNAZ
- Identify future research opportunities
- Support the communication of high quality, evidence based information
What's happening now and how to pledge your support
The Studland Bay Marine Partnership successfully raised £66,000 through a mixture of crowdfunding by the Seahorse Trust on behalf of the partnership and generous donations from the National Trust and The Crown Estate, the SEALIFE Trust and the PIG-on the beach for the installation of a further phase of 21 eco-moorings. This is part of a phased approach with an overall target to install up to 87 SBMP eco-moorings across the bay area. Having successfully installed 31 to date, raising additional funds will help protect the diverse marine life at Studland Bay, including the Spiny Seahorse and endangered undulate rays. Our fundraising efforts continue in a bid to ensure a long-term benefit for Studland Bay and the restoration of the seagrass habitats.
Caroline Price, Senior Development Manager, Habitat Creation, at The Crown Estate, said: “The seabed is more in demand than ever before, supporting a rich, but under pressure, natural environment, providing vital energy and resources for our country and offering a place for recreation. Against this backdrop, managing the seabed in a way which enables a thriving sea and coastline requires new ways of doing things, as well as collaboration on a greater scale than ever before. That’s why we are delighted to collaborate on this innovative initiative, which delivers positive outcomes for nature as well as those who make use of this area.”
In spring 2024 we look forward to installing distinctive yellow marker buoys along the seaward perimeter of the Voluntary No Anchor Zone with the grateful support of the Ocean Conservation Trust, making the VMAZ boundary extremely visible to all water borne visitors to the bay. We are also planning the install of signage telling the story of Studland in the Poole Harbour area at marinas and slipways for visitors and boat users. The Studland Bay Marine Partnership are currently finalising details of how boat users, who benefit themselves and the seagrass by using an eco-mooring this season, can donate a mooring fee via a simple to use App in 2024. The partnership is also working towards a sponsorship scheme for local businesses or individuals to pledge their support - if you'd like further details on mooring fee donations or how to sponsor an eco-mooring to remember a loved one who loved Studland, or just to join us in protecting Studland's precious seagrass habitats for generations to come, please contact Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer Sara Parker.
The Studland Bay Marine Partnership is a partnership of stakeholders including conservation and boating organisations, academics, grassroots community groups and supporting local businesses formed to devise a solution that meets the needs of the public and recreational boaters to continue to enjoy the bay, whilst protecting and restoring the sensitive seagrass habitat at Studland.
NOVEMBER 2023 NEWS!
The Studland Bay Marine Partnership has been awarded £186,000 from the Marine Management Organisation’s Fisheries and Seafood Scheme to support the conservation of Studland Bay’s precious marine ecosystems. Studland Bay is home to Dorset’s most extensive seagrass meadow and provides a unique habitat for lots of important species like the Spiny Seahorse and the endangered undulate ray.
The new funding, which has been secured following a successful funding bid with Dorset Council, will contribute to a larger £248,000 conservation project to support this special site, the wildlife that live there, and the water users who enjoy it.
The project, which will see an additional 57 eco-moorings installed in the bay, and the continuation of the partnership’s research and monitoring programme, will be delivered by the Studland Bay Marine Partnership.
Funds from the award will also be used to complete the formulisation of the partnership, provide more information for boat users in the Studland and Poole harbour marina areas, and continue an engagement programme, led by the Dorset Coast Forum, throughout 2024 and beyond.
We will soon be launching our 2024 Donation Scheme for businesses and organisations to support match funding the FaSS award. Please contact Project Officer Sara for more details.
Contents
1. Overview
2. Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)
3. Navigating the Voluntary No Anchor Zone (VNAZ)
4. Public Consultation5. Research and Monitoring
6. What's happening now and how to pledge your support
Overview
One of the main reasons that many people come to this beautiful part of Dorset is the sea. Protecting our coasts, and the species that live along them, is essential. Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ) provide protected areas that not only benefit the myriad forms of life that live in, on, and next to, the sea, but also have a huge impact on the coastal communities of which we are very much a part. Studland Bay is home to the most extensive seagrass meadow in Dorset, however this important habitat is currently in an unfavourable condition. Seagrass beds provide a number of vital ecological functions. Seagrass beds stabilise sediments, provide habitat for species such as commercially important fish and seahorses, and act as a sink for atmospheric carbon. It is also home to bass and endangered undulate rays. Long-snouted seahorses are a designated feature of the MCZ and a protected species.
The sheltered conditions of the bay not only provide protection for sensitive habitats and species but is highly valued by boat and water users, and local businesses as an attractive environment for tourism and recreation. Also, importantly providing a sheltered refuge for both local boat users and those travelling long distances.
Locally most people recognise that conserving the seagrass habitat is essential, but it will be difficult to implement a Voluntary No Anchoring Zone (VNAZ) if there are no alternatives for boat users to use the bay. The Studland Bay Marine Partnership are working together to achieve these key outcomes:
Produce a mooring plan for Studland Bay by bringing stakeholders to gain agreement on location, timescale and proposed options for long-term funding.
Create a draft management strategy and vision for the next 10 years that all users of Studland Bay can believe in and work towards, to incorporate:
a. an eco-mooring management plan,
b. a plan of how to transition away from anchoring and conventional moorings,
c. potential seagrass restoration projects.
3. Future governance options paper for the bay including roles and responsibilities to deliver the strategy.
This work has been funded by the Championing Coastal Coordination (3Cs) project which is an Environment Agency initiative with support from Natural England, the Marine Management Organisation and the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.
SBMP Steering Group member Howard talking eco-moorings at South Beach, August 2023
Raising public awareness and greater understanding of marine conservation at Studland and how everyone can work together to achieve this, is at the heart of the partnership and we will continue to host engagement events, particularly during the boating season, both at Studland and the Poole Harbour area as a whole. We welcome opportunities to talk to the boating community, local organisations, educators and stakeholders and are always happy to bring our display eco-mooring with us - as seen on BBC Springwatch this year!
Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)
Anchor chain scouring the seabed and lifting the seagrass roots
Photo credit Neil Garrick-Maidment
Since the Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) was established in May 2019, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) held a call for evidence seeking views on a draft Studland Bay MCZ marine non-licensable activity assessment and a range of management options. Feedback concluded that management measures would be developed for anchoring, due to the pressure it causes at current levels towards the designated features of the MCZ.
Navigating the Voluntary No Anchoring Zone (VNAZ)
From December 2021, the MMO introduced a Voluntary No Anchoring Zone (VNAZ) in part of the bay currently used by recreational craft. The VNAZ was expanded from 1 June 2022 (see the MMO's Studland Bay MCZ Habitat Protection Strategy and website for more information). At all times, anchoring in emergency situations is still be permitted.
The MMO have indicated that a sustainable alternative to anchoring in the VNAZ could be achieved through the use of Advanced eco-Mooring Systems (AeMS) to protect the seagrass habitat whilst allowing continued use by recreational craft. The Studland Bay Marine Partnership is actively looking to encourage water enthusiasts and boat users to respect the seagrass by not anchoring at the known seagrass locations and use permitted moorings. Currently 31 eco-moorings are installed and available to boat users with more to be installed, subject to license, in spring 2024 with a target of 100 in the bay (including 12 existing moorings belonging to private owners converted into eco-moorings). Eco-moorings offer an environmentally friendly alternative as a helical screw anchor is installed into the seabed. An elastic rode is then attached, connecting the anchor system with the mooring buoy. The elastic rode will stretch at higher tides and contract at lower tides, so the equipment does not damage the surrounding seagrass.
The installation of the eco-moorings has been supported and carried out on behalf of the Studland Bay Marine Partnership by national boating business, boatfolk and are easily identified in the bay with their distinctive green and white markings. The first phase were installed in 2021 to to take pressure off the highly sensitive seagrass site in Studland Bay, an essential habitat for the UK’s native Spiny Seahorse, the eco-moorings provide an accessible alternative to anchoring, allowing boaters to help protect the fragile underwater ecosystems.
The location of sensitive seagrass habitats and eco-moorings in Studland, and around the UK, is being made simpler for water users through navigation apps such as savvy navvy and Navionics helping them to make informed decisions and choose to do their bit to protect this special habitat. This year hundreds of boat owners have again showed their support for the project by using an eco-mooring - check out the FAQs for more details on eco-moorings and how you can use them as an alternative to anchoring at Studland Bay this year.
Studland Bay has become the first UK contributor to recently launched global campaign, #ProtectOurBeds, supporting efforts to protect seagrass by providing eco-mooring data, as alternatives to anchoring.
#ProtectOurBeds is a new campaign between not-for-profit, Clean Sailors, the Ocean Conservation Trust and all-in-one navigation app, savvy navvy, supporting boaters to combat climate change by digitally mapping sensitive seabeds and eco-moorings across boating hotspots around the world.
The aim of ‘#ProtectOurBeds´ is to help stop vital seagrass being destroyed. By bringing greater awareness to water-users on where sensitive seabeds lie and encouraging them to use eco-moorings where available, the campaign aims to educate, inspire and encourage the boating community to make more informed anchoring choices when out on the water. As the first UK contributor, the Studland Bay Marine Partnership has provided the campaign with geo-location data of its 31 eco-mooring facilities in Studland Bay.
Seagrasses combat climate change by absorbing and storing huge amounts of carbon, but are estimated to be the fastest disappearing habitat on the planet mainly due to avoidable human activity.
MMO Map of Voluntary No Anchoring Zone (VNAZ) Studland Bay Marine Partnership Moorings Map June 2022
Public Consultation
Dorset Coast Forum have been providing the Studland Bay Marine Partnership with community, partner and stakeholder consultation since March 2021 when a facilitated formal engagement period to gain further input from stakeholders about three draft anchoring management options. A summary of the engagement can be found in the Studland Bay MCZ Engagement Feedback Report 2021. During the summer of 2022 public opinion on the draft 10-year management strategy, moorings plan and future governance options for Studland Bay was gathered and the Community Consultation Feedback Report 2022 was completed by DCF in November 2022 and reviewed by the Studland Bay Marine Partnership group to inform next steps.
This extensive engagement period with local residents and boat users was designed to understand their views on awareness and usage of the eco-moorings and the Voluntary No Anchor Zone. Of those surveyed, 58% of respondents said they were interested in the conservation of the seagrass habitat.
Research and Monitoring
University of Southampton research at Studland
From the start of the SBMP’s journey, and particularly given the historical contention in the bay, it was crucial to the partnership that restoration of the seagrass should be evidence driven. To support this a dedicated Research and Monitoring Group (RMG) was created, consisting of representatives from numerous academic institutions, conservation organisations and statutory bodies. As a partnership we are very fortunate to be working with leading experts in marine conservation, with experience across numerous fields including marine ecology, social science, oceanography, marine policy and coastal dynamics. Many of the members of the RMG have been involved directly in working in Studland Bay, bringing the benefits of a wealth of local experience to the team. The main aims of the Research and Monitoring Group are:
- Audit existing monitoring and research in Studland Bay
- Monitor the impacts of the eco-moorings within the VNAZ
- Identify future research opportunities
- Support the communication of high quality, evidence based information
What's happening now and how to pledge your support
The Studland Bay Marine Partnership successfully raised £66,000 through a mixture of crowdfunding by the Seahorse Trust on behalf of the partnership and generous donations from the National Trust and The Crown Estate, the SEALIFE Trust and the PIG-on the beach for the installation of a further phase of 21 eco-moorings. This is part of a phased approach with an overall target to install up to 87 SBMP eco-moorings across the bay area. Having successfully installed 31 to date, raising additional funds will help protect the diverse marine life at Studland Bay, including the Spiny Seahorse and endangered undulate rays. Our fundraising efforts continue in a bid to ensure a long-term benefit for Studland Bay and the restoration of the seagrass habitats.
Caroline Price, Senior Development Manager, Habitat Creation, at The Crown Estate, said: “The seabed is more in demand than ever before, supporting a rich, but under pressure, natural environment, providing vital energy and resources for our country and offering a place for recreation. Against this backdrop, managing the seabed in a way which enables a thriving sea and coastline requires new ways of doing things, as well as collaboration on a greater scale than ever before. That’s why we are delighted to collaborate on this innovative initiative, which delivers positive outcomes for nature as well as those who make use of this area.”
In spring 2024 we look forward to installing distinctive yellow marker buoys along the seaward perimeter of the Voluntary No Anchor Zone with the grateful support of the Ocean Conservation Trust, making the VMAZ boundary extremely visible to all water borne visitors to the bay. We are also planning the install of signage telling the story of Studland in the Poole Harbour area at marinas and slipways for visitors and boat users. The Studland Bay Marine Partnership are currently finalising details of how boat users, who benefit themselves and the seagrass by using an eco-mooring this season, can donate a mooring fee via a simple to use App in 2024. The partnership is also working towards a sponsorship scheme for local businesses or individuals to pledge their support - if you'd like further details on mooring fee donations or how to sponsor an eco-mooring to remember a loved one who loved Studland, or just to join us in protecting Studland's precious seagrass habitats for generations to come, please contact Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer Sara Parker.
Episode 7 - Studland eco-moorings
Boat Users Information
Eco-Moorings coordinates and tonnage (929 KB) (png)
