Seagrass in Studland

[pirky]

Hi all .......This is self explanatory.....

 

. Sea Angling News, August 2010

HAMPSHIRE/ DORSET/ NEWS

BOATERS URGED TO OBSERVE VOLUnTARY NO ANCHOR

ZONE IN STUDLAND BAY

Increasing number of boats still anchoring in VNAZ could result in the introduction of a mandatory no

anchoring zone The RYA is urging boaters to observe the Voluntary No Anchor Zone (VNAZ) that has been

set up in Studland Bay, Dorset by The Crown Estate and Natural England as part ofthe 'Studland Bay Seagrass

Proiect'.

Studland Bay is shallow, sandy embayment on the south coast of England and is an important site for seagrass

and seahorses, both ofwhich are protected by law due to their relative scarclty around the UK.

The recent addition of seahorses to the list of protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act has led

to concems over the possible impacts of recreational boat anchoring and mooring on seagrass meadows in

Studland Bay. The sheltered nature ofthe Bay makes it a popular anchorage with recreational boaters and the

protection offered from prevailing south westerlies makes it an important safe haven during inclement weather.

"It has been suggested that seagrass is unable to regenerate as a result ofdamage caused by anchoring and

mooring and that these activities therefore have a detrimental effect on the seahorses which make their home

in the seagrass found in the Bay. However to date this link has not been proven", commented Caroline Price,

RYA Planning and Environmental Advisor.

"The Studland Bay Seagrass Project seeks to improve understanding on this issue and establishing a Voluntary

No Anchor Zone (VNAZ) within the bay is a vital part of the study, which we hope will demonstrate that both

recreational boating activity and nature conservation can continue to thrive in the area."

Since its installation in November 2009 there have been a range of issues with the VNAZ and as the summer

sailing season has got underway it appears an increasing number of boats are anchoring within the VNAZ.

"If the VNAZ is not successful the Studland Bay Seagrass Project will be of limited value and the argument

for allowing recreation and nature conservation to co-exist will be weakened" continued Caroline. "As the UK Govemment moves towards identifying and designating new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ)

it is vital that voluntary management regimes can be shown to work and that legislation is not necessary to

control the activities of recreational boaters.

"The recreational boating sector has long been recogrrised as being able to self-regulate thereby reducing the

need for additional layers of legislation. If the Studland Bay VNAZ cannot be demonstrated to work then it is

possible that a mandatory no anchoring zone may be introduced as part of the MCZ process making it a

criminal offence to anchor within it. The success or otherwise of the Studland Bay VNAZ therefore has

implications far beyond the south coast of England."

"It is imperative that awareness of the Studland Bay VNAZ is raised throughout the boating community and

we are urging everyone to spread the word and to respect the VNAZ", concluded Caroline.

The VNAZ is a small area (100m X 100m) located off South Beach, Studland and is marked by four yellow

buoys (one on each corner)'as well as two-in the centre of the zone. The VNAZ has been advertised through

Notices to Mariners and the

 

boundary coordinates are as'follows:

 

Lat Long

sw 50'38.609828'N l" 56.343396'W

sE 50'38.609782Nl. 56.258541'W

NE 50' 38.663738Nl' 56.258468'W

NW 50'38.663784'N7 . 56343325' W

 

 

The RYA has been involved in the Studland Bay Seagrass Project from the beginning and is a member of the

Studland Seagrass and Seahorse Study Group which is an informal, non-statutory focus and discussion group

formed of residents,local yacht clubs, environmental groups and other interested parties

Dave

 

PS soz for the errors created by copy and paste from a PDF

Edited August 14, 2010 by pirky