jhr
Well-Known Member
Not to worry. Boathook's observations are "anecdotal", so they don't count.....
BBC response to Countryfile complaint.
- Thread starter Sans Bateau
- Start date
Not to worry. Boathook's observations are "anecdotal", so they don't count.....
T
timbartlett
Guest
I still don't understand why -- if anchoring is really so destructive to the habitat of seahorses -- why do the seahorses choose to live (and apparently thrive) in one of the most popular anchorages on the south coast?
And if they can survive such horrifically damaging activity, why aren't the similar but less popular bays over-run with the things?
And if they can survive such horrifically damaging activity, why aren't the similar but less popular bays over-run with the things?
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
grass and anchors
I am a no nothin agriculturalist
but real grass exists because of soil disturbance - its an early coloniser
grazing animals give it a bad time and its is the first to grow
take away the soil disturbance and the grass gets replaced by other plants
maybe the seagrass is there because of the anchors
but we don't know - and it seems neither do the SHT
Dylan
I am a no nothin agriculturalist
but real grass exists because of soil disturbance - its an early coloniser
grazing animals give it a bad time and its is the first to grow
take away the soil disturbance and the grass gets replaced by other plants
maybe the seagrass is there because of the anchors
but we don't know - and it seems neither do the SHT
Dylan
Major Catastrophe
Well-Known Member
Dylan, the ploughing effect of anchors helping the sea grass to spread was one of the first theorise put up on here two years ago, when the SHT first posted here. But they (Mrs Steve Trellis of North Wales) said it was impossible, but when asked to produce some botanical qualifications, the insults started.
You can search for their earlier utterances.
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
bumma
sorry that is the price of coming late to a thread
but I thought it was time I started following this one
d
sorry that is the price of coming late to a thread
but I thought it was time I started following this one
d
fergie_mac66
Well-Known Member
By the time you get round there the option to anchor might have gone weellll if sht has its way !
By the way I have anchored in studland a few times (20 years ago) hope to anchor there again
Boathook
Well-Known Member
I believe that in other threads on the suject BP was mentioned, as many years ago they surveyed the area before they installed a rig in Poole Bay. Directional drilling came before the rig. The survey did include Studland and I believe showed the excent of eel grass, etc. I assume that this survey is public, but where is another story.
Searush
Well-Known Member
Apparently wartime aerial photos also show the extent of eel grass to be much less than today.
It makes ense to me that eel grass is spread by breaking bits off it with an anchor which then settle & root, colonising somewhere else,
It makes ense to me that eel grass is spread by breaking bits off it with an anchor which then settle & root, colonising somewhere else,
Tranona
Well-Known Member
No, it does not. It puts out runners. Google it and you will find out that the suggestion that ploughing the seabed increases the coverage is nonsense.
What is unknown is how quickly the plant grows back in areas that are scoured.
There are more than enough misconceptions about this subject without adding new ones!
Tranona
Well-Known Member
There may well be much bigger "colonies" in the large eel grass beds elsewhere on the coast in the Solent for example.
However, nobody is looking for them so they aren't there! The unique feature about Studland is that you can park your car, don your gear and go looking for seahorses in 3-5 m of relatively calm waters without any support or permission from anybody. Try doing that in Southampton Water.
Look at the SHT site and you will see most of the reported sitings of seahorses are in readily accessible locations, many of them man made harbours. The number of seahorses observed is a function of the amount of effort expended in trying to find them. Any connection with the "real" population is purely co-incidental.
FB122
Well-Known Member
Indeginous B######ds
Pardon ! but I bet thats what the Seahorse persons are calling the Studland Locals these days ! (ref; to the recent film "Inglorious Bar Stewards")
I have always considered that the BBC and the Seahorse Spotters have got it in for the Studlanders and reading some of the copied responses from the BBEEB I still stand by my theory.
There are many sightings of seahorses all over Europe and these are reported on various UK diving Websites if you care to search on google.
Why Studland has been called the "MOST IMPORTANT BREEDING SITE IN EUROPE" is a mystery and fast becoming a JOKE .
At least my sat dish is now storm proof and Madam can watch her Strictly Prancing on the BBEEB without me having to get my Guy Cotten gear on and venture aloft to adjust the dish.
Soon be time for Autumn watch !
I Hate Krumble
Pardon ! but I bet thats what the Seahorse persons are calling the Studland Locals these days ! (ref; to the recent film "Inglorious Bar Stewards")
I have always considered that the BBC and the Seahorse Spotters have got it in for the Studlanders and reading some of the copied responses from the BBEEB I still stand by my theory.
There are many sightings of seahorses all over Europe and these are reported on various UK diving Websites if you care to search on google.
Why Studland has been called the "MOST IMPORTANT BREEDING SITE IN EUROPE" is a mystery and fast becoming a JOKE .
At least my sat dish is now storm proof and Madam can watch her Strictly Prancing on the BBEEB without me having to get my Guy Cotten gear on and venture aloft to adjust the dish.
Soon be time for Autumn watch !
I Hate Krumble
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
But not a motorhome unless you are prepared to pay silly money! We were touring the south coast after visiting SIBS and very much wanted to have a look at Studland Bay in view of these threads.
Arrived at the car park attendant's box to find charges for cars to be £3, rates for various other means of transport but no motorhomes. So I asked the cost for us. 'That will be £14, sir!'
We declined his offer and saw no seahorses.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
The only time I have ever seen a sea horse was in a marina. So maybe they like boats too...??
