Boats ignoring Studland Bay Voluntary No Anchor Zone

14/07/2010 12:25:14 Boat anchors threaten Dorset Seahorse population
July 2010. A voluntary no-anchor zone (VNAZ) is currently in place in a small bay in Dorset as part of a scientific study initiated by a local partnership group to examine the impacts of recreational boat anchoring on seagrass at Studland Bay.

Spiny & Short-snouted seahorses
The seagrass meadows in Studland Bay are an important habitat supporting spiny and short-snouted seahorses both of which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The discovery of a pregnant seahorse in the bay suggested they could be breeding there highlighting concerns that their main habitat, seagrass, may be detrimentally affected by recreational boating. A particular concern is that seagrass could be disturbed when anchors are retrieved from the seabed with the plant unable to regenerate as a result of this damage. Others, however, argue that the extent of seagrass has increased considerably over the years despite, or even because of, recreational anchoring within the bay. It is hoped that the study will provide the scientific evidence to inform the debate and assist future management.

The Voluntary No Anchor Zone is badly marked, and the buoys drift with the tide a great deal. Some boats may ignore the zone but many don't know about the zone, and it is impossible to monitor as the zone moves.

VNAZ marked by buoys - Only voluntary
The research project, managed by The Crown Estate and Natural England, started late last year with a baseline survey of the seagrass undertaken by contractors SeaStar Survey. Subsequent surveys will be undertaken over the next two years to determine the impacts of anchoring on the seagrass. The corners of the VNAZ are marked by four large round yellow buoys and there are two yellow buoys in the centre of the zone. Although these buoys are special navigation markers it has been proposed that they are changed to pillar shaped ones to make them more distinguishable from actual mooring buoys. This alteration to the Coast Protection Act consent has been approved by the Marine Management Organisation.

Boats ignoring buoys & buoys moving
In recent weekends, concern has been raised over a number of boats that have continued to anchor in the VNAZ and even attempts to moor up to the zone's marker buoys. Although the zone is currently voluntary in nature, the project managers and contractors are requesting the support of boaters to avoid anchoring in this area.

Boat owners help required
Fiona McNie, marine adviser for Natural England said: "We really need the support of recreational boat owners for the success of this project, in particular to ensure we gather the evidence required for any future management decisions. It is not our intention to prevent the enjoyment of the bay by those who currently anchor there, but in order to gather the data we need the VNAZ to be observed by boat owners."

The Dorset Wildlife Trust will have wardens on South Beach during the summer holidays to inform visiting boat owners and beach users about the seagrass study and the wider marine life in the bay.