Quiet, please

[zoidberg]

According to a published study, the noise we - er, you - make in the seas damages seagrasses severely. And lots of other organisms - probably.

seagrass-harmed-noise-pollution

Does that mean mobos will be banned from Studland and other marine SSSIs? Must we whisper when trundling past? And what about jetskis...?

 

[Tranona]

The negative effects of noise on fish etc has been known - in the sense of being studied for years and probably a bit more believable than seahorses being killed by anchors hitting them on the head.

Was in Studland yesterday and very few mobos. Most boats, including mine were anchored outside the seagrass areas 'cos the water is deeper and clear sand bottom. Of course on the rare occasion when the sub shines on a weekend or bank holiday it is different, but on the other 360 days a year it is a very peaceful place for the sealife.

 

[cherod]

The negative effects of noise on fish etc has been known - in the sense of being studied for years and probably a bit more believable than seahorses being killed by anchors hitting them on the head.

Was in Studland yesterday and very few mobos. Most boats, including mine were anchored outside the seagrass areas 'cos the water is deeper and clear sand bottom. Of course on the rare occasion when the sub shines on a weekend or bank holiday it is different, but on the other 360 days a year it is a very peaceful place for the sealife.

it only takes one day of inconsiderate anchoring to cause long lasting damage ,, ( the damage done does not come up with the anchor chain you know but remains on the sea bed and takes years to recover )

 

[zoidberg]

Rather a lot of traditional anchoring places are 'owned' by The Crown and The Duchy of Cornwall. Those pecuniary organisations will not be pleased with the loss of revenues arising from reductions in anchoring fee income.

 

[RobbieW]

it only takes one day of inconsiderate anchoring to cause long lasting damage ,, ( the damage done does not come up with the anchor chain you know but remains on the sea bed and takes years to recover )

At Studland there is no evidence to support that view with seagrass beds slowly expanding year on year

 

[JumbleDuck]

Well, if anyone knows about persistent and irritating whining noises it's the Seahorse Trust ...

 

[RichardS]

Plenty on the BBC news yesterday with video of the new elastic moorings in action and lots of Studland seahorses, also in action. Some of them did appear to be wearing headphones but, unfortunately, they were not of the noise cancelling variety.

Richard

 

[Bodach na mara]

I saw that item as well and have discussed it in a post in the Studland sticky thread. What surprises me is that, with all this anchoring that there are so many seahorses that people come from miles away to look at them. Why are they not more common in places where boats don't anchor if anchoring is so damaging? Or is there actually some symbiotic relationship between anchoring boats and seahorses like the one between people and puffins on the Treshnish Isles and other places?

 

[Tranona]

I saw that item as well and have discussed it in a post in the Studland sticky thread. What surprises me is that, with all this anchoring that there are so many seahorses that people come from miles away to look at them. Why are they not more common in places where boats don't anchor if anchoring is so damaging? Or is there actually some symbiotic relationship between anchoring boats and seahorses like the one between people and puffins on the Treshnish Isles and other places?

Plenty of seahorses all around our coasts, particularly in sheltered man made facilities like docks and marinas. SHT used to have an army of volunteer observers reporting sightings that ran into hundreds each year. They published the results every year. However once NGM decided to focus on Studland (partly because he lost his volunteers and partly because he had no money) that all stopped. He is only interested in courting publicity and it does not suit his narrative if it gets out that seahorses are common. There has been no serious research on seahorses, just as there has been no serious research on seagrass in the UK so he fills the vacuum with his half baked unsubstantiated ideas, with the collusion of our gullible media.

 

[DanTribe]

When seals surface nearby, I often wonder if they are trying to say
"turn that echo sounder off, it's deafening me !"

 

[JumbleDuck]

... so he fills the vacuum with his half baked unsubstantiated ideas, with the collusion of our gullible media.

And also, alas, of the RYA.

 

[cherod]

Plenty on the BBC news yesterday with video of the new elastic moorings in action and lots of Studland seahorses, also in action. Some of them did appear to be wearing headphones but, unfortunately, they were not of the noise cancelling variety.

Richard

i saw that , all very interesting and convincing ( although certainly a bit of advertising for the mooring manufacturer ) ... oh dear ,, which " experts " is one to believe .

 

[mainsail1]

I am sorry to say (as i am ex RN) the first thing they should ban is active sonar on warships. It really does put such a lot of noise into the sea.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I am sorry to say (as i am ex RN) the first thing they should ban is active sonar on warships. It really does put such a lot of noise into the sea.

We've previously discussed the astonishingly loud things now being fitted to fish farms and which, for example, make the whole of Lamlash Bay unsleepable-in for many people. I tried SEPA but they are not interested in noise pollution.

 

[mainsail1]

Who are SEPA?

 

[Blue Sunray]

And also, alas, of the RYA.

and Marina operators

Folk Tales Episode 17: Getting to know Neil Garrick-Maidment | boatfolk

 

[Tranona]

And also, alas, of the RYA.

Not sure that is the case. As Old Harry has described it is hard and so far fairly unrewarding fighting against a well entrenched narrative when there is so little real evidence to throw into the pot.

Their view is that the political will is there to support "environmental" measures - not least because it has been passed in principle into law and they are better working with government to try and ensure whatever measures are put in place are practical and workable.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Who are SEPA?

Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

 

[capnsensible]

I am sorry to say (as i am ex RN) the first thing they should ban is active sonar on warships. It really does put such a lot of noise into the sea.

Save Our Submarines.

 

[capnsensible]

We anchored off a beach for lunch today. Along with loadsa other boats, including three big charter catamarans full of people enjoying themselves on paddle boards, kayaks, snorkelling and swimming.

There are also shed loads of fish about who actually don't seem to care. Very happy to get fed. If sea horses don't like where they are, being fish they can swim off somewhere else. Don't see what al the fuss is about. ?