Have you been told you cant anchor in Studland?

[oldharry]

It seems that some conservationists lead by NGM of the Seahorse Trust are making it their business to tell visiting boats they can no longer anchor in Studland 'because it is now and MCZ' . NGM says quite clearly on his FB page we 'have nor right to anchor there'.

This simply not true. There is a consultation in process to the 30th August giving stakeholders including BORG the opportunity to have our say. On past record there will then bea long period of consideration, followed possibly bya further consultation before any decision is taken. It is likely, but not a foregone conclusion that some effort will be made to mitigate the impact of boats anchoring in this popular location. But fopr the moment the freddom to anchor remains unchanged.

You could ask NGM what he is doing about all the illegal seahorse hunters diving in the Bay. They ARE breaking the law, and scaring the little darlings away!

 

[sarabande]

This is beginning to look like harassment, in that the sea horse people are intimidating boat owners to prevent them from anchoring legally.

Is it worth having a brief chat with the local police so that they are aware of the situation and can offer advice to both parties ?

 

[Sandy]

Perhaps a letter to the Seahorse Trust from the Prime Minster that should make things crystal clear.

 

[Sea-Fever]

This is beginning to look like harassment, in that the sea horse people are intimidating boat owners to prevent them from anchoring legally.

Is it worth having a brief chat with the local police so that they are aware of the situation and can offer advice to both parties ?

I'm afraid I can't see the Old Bill being interested.

 

[STATUE]

I'm afraid I can't see the Old Bill being interested.

It should be MCA Coastguard Shore Patrol - they showed up like lightening when an idiot jetskier was trying to carve up children swimming at Ringstead.

 

[Blue Sunray]

They're going to be busy. 350 boats (NGM's estimate) , 5 minutes per boat (my estimate) that's 29 hours of work per day.

On a serious note if anyone is approached in this manner I'd suggest that the first thing to do is start filming the incident (and keep calm and polite).

 

[oldharry]

Harassment? He's been trying this one on for years: to start with he tried to invoke the Wildlife Act 2002 which makes it illegal to disturb protected species or their habitat. Quite right too. Preventing disturbance, I mean. However Sect 9 of the Act says quite clearly that to obtain a conviction there must be evidence of intention to take or disturb protected species. On land of course, protection is achieved by the landowner closing access to the site. However RYA and MMO made it quite clear that 'anchoring is a normal and legal activity' so that anchoring in the Bay is not covered by the legislation.

MMO subsequently issued a statement confirming that anchoring in Studland is not in any way illegal. So unless you go there with the specific intent of destroying eelgrass, or using Seahorses for target practice with your Rocna, there is nothing illegal about anchoring.

But now the Bay has become an MCZ. This means that Natural England must put in place whatever measures are required to protect the Features of Conservation Interest (FOCI in the jargon). So far they have identified the main FOCI as being the eelgrass beds. As the seahorses are a protected species they get included in the FOCI list automatically. NE has now embarked on the first stage of identifying what management measures are required for this specific locality. The first stage, gathering detailed information has started, and the consultation is in progress. The speed this moves means its likely to be another 12 - 18 months befroe anything is decided.

Once that has been done, NE will make recommendations to MMO. MMO can if necessary move incredibly quickly for a Government Quango, where an urgent need is identified. They put a trawling ban on some eelgrass beds in Portsmouth Harbour some years ago ina matter of days to prevent some idiot fisherman trawling it out of existence for example.

MMO's problem is that they must not only regulate the Studland MCZ, but Police it. They dont have the money to do that. 7 Years ago I initiated an Educational programme with RYA which resulted in their Anchor with Care programme. This was welcomed by everyone, including the Wildlife Trusts and Natural England and a development of it is probably the only affordable way forward particularly in the post Covid recession. Everyone? not quite: NGM refused to have anything to do with either setting it up or supporting it. He actually later accused me of disagreeing with what it said, which made everyone laugh, as I had chaired the study group that set it up!!!!

The danger I have already raised with them is that vigilante groups will do precisely what NGM is trying to do now. They see that and agree. SO if you are pesterd by him the best course is to complain to MMO. If they get enough complaints they may well act to protect Bay visitors, whatever the Times says.

 

[Sea-Fever]

Harassment? He's been trying this one on for years: to start with he tried to invoke the Wildlife Act 2002 which makes it illegal to disturb protected species or their habitat. Quite right too. Preventing disturbance, I mean. However Sect 9 of the Act says quite clearly that to obtain a conviction there must be evidence of intention to take or disturb protected species. On land of course, protection is achieved by the landowner closing access to the site. However RYA and MMO made it quite clear that 'anchoring is a normal and legal activity' so that anchoring in the Bay is not covered by the legislation.

MMO subsequently issued a statement confirming that anchoring in Studland is not in any way illegal. So unless you go there with the specific intent of destroying eelgrass, or using Seahorses for target practice with your Rocna, there is nothing illegal about anchoring.

But now the Bay has become an MCZ. This means that Natural England must put in place whatever measures are required to protect the Features of Conservation Interest (FOCI in the jargon). So far they have identified the main FOCI as being the eelgrass beds. As the seahorses are a protected species they get included in the FOCI list automatically. NE has now embarked on the first stage of identifying what management measures are required for this specific locality. The first stage, gathering detailed information has started, and the consultation is in progress. The speed this moves means its likely to be another 12 - 18 months befroe anything is decided.

Once that has been done, NE will make recommendations to MMO. MMO can if necessary move incredibly quickly for a Government Quango, where an urgent need is identified. They put a trawling ban on some eelgrass beds in Portsmouth Harbour some years ago ina matter of days to prevent some idiot fisherman trawling it out of existence for example.

MMO's problem is that they must not only regulate the Studland MCZ, but Police it. They dont have the money to do that. 7 Years ago I initiated an Educational programme with RYA which resulted in their Anchor with Care programme. This was welcomed by everyone, including the Wildlife Trusts and Natural England and a development of it is probably the only affordable way forward particularly in the post Covid recession. Everyone? not quite: NGM refused to have anything to do with either setting it up or supporting it. He actually later accused me of disagreeing with what it said, which made everyone laugh, as I had chaired the study group that set it up!!!!

The danger I have already raised with them is that vigilante groups will do precisely what NGM is trying to do now. They see that and agree. SO if you are pesterd by him the best course is to complain to MMO. If they get enough complaints they may well act to protect Bay visitors, whatever the Times says.

Thanks Old Harry... useful info as usual. I do wonder though, one guy in a boat could fine a vessel 50 quid..this would pay for his wages for the rest of the hour whilst he goes on to fine another 20 vessels. Not sure of the exact mechanics...but in terms of cost MMO might not struggle that much?