The scheme to persuade boat owners to use eco moorings rather than dropping anchor among the seagrass in Studland Bay in Dorset was expanded in 2024, and now locals are being asked what they think.
A voluntary ban on boats dropping anchor within the southern end of Studland Bay was introduced in 2021 to protect marine life including rare seahorses, and an alternative more environmentally friendly mooring option was introduced but at a cost to users.
Rare seahorses live and breed in Studland’s seagrass beds
Up-rooting the seagrass habitat
Eco moorings are unlike traditional moorings and anchors as they don’t have metal chains that drag along the seabed, up-rooting the seagrass habitat where seahorses, pipefish and rays live and breed.
An initial 10 eco moorings were deployed in summer 2021, but during summer 2024 that number was increased to 87.
It costs £10 for 24 hours to use an eco mooring and it’s currently a voluntary scheme. However in the long term, if seagrass beds continue to be damaged by anchoring, then it is very likely that a bylaw would be introduced to legally prohibit anchoring within the current voluntary area.
The eco moorings are easy to spot!
Studland’s voluntary no anchor zone outlined in blue
Not all boat owners are paying the fee
Before the voluntary no anchoring zone was introduced, up to 400 boats anchored in the bay during peak times in the holiday season. Now many boats are using the eco moorings however not all are paying the £10 to use them.
Boat owners can pay via an app with all the income going towards the deployment and maintenance of the moorings.
Now the Studland Bay Marine Partnership, which includes boat owners, environment groups, scientists and landowners, is asking what more it should do. In order to get everyone’s views it’s hoping people will fill out its short survey.
The eco option rather than dropping a metal anchor with a chain
“Feedback is invaluable”
The government agency which oversees the scheme is the Marine Management Organisation. Its head of marine conservation, Jessica Churchill-Bisset said
“With Studland Bay remaining a popular destination for boaters, this habitat is at risk from damage that can be caused by the dropping and weighing of boat anchors.
“Supporting the voluntary no anchor zone, the Studland Bay Marine Partnership has taken forward initiatives including the provision of eco moorings and marker buoys to clearly mark out the area of the voluntary no anchor zone on the surface of the water.
“Evidence from previous surveys suggests that anchoring over the seagrass has decreased since the voluntary no anchor zone was introduced. It’s hoped that the addition of more eco moorings and marker buoys for the 2024 season, has supported opportunities for adherence to the voluntary no anchor zone further.
“Feedback is invaluable in helping us understand how the voluntary no anchor zone is performing, what has worked well, and what can be improved.”
The Marine Management Organisation is now urging people to complete the online survey which will be available until Sunday 19th January 2025.
Further information
- Take part in the survey
- More about the Studland Bay Marine Partnership
