Seahorse Spin

[Robin]

Sorry, I wasn't clear. My use of the no planing zone buoys was an example, I meant are the VNAZ buoys clearly marked in easy to see lettering.

I agree entierly about visibility, especially at night, and in poor visibility. And yes, we all know what some Jet ski folk are like - I've even had them try and use a diving surface marker buoy as a slalom, with potentially fatal consequences.

So is it the opinion of folk in the area that this zone is clearly marked, or does it need to be more visible?

We are currently boatless other than a small Zodiac so haven't been in Studland yet this season to say what is on the VNAZ buoys. My point was that any sign has to be easily seen and understood, a buoy on it's own even marked 'VNAZ' is meaningless. If in France or Holland would you know what VNAZ meant in Dutch or French? I wouldn't and I suspect many Brits wouldn't work out what it stood for here either.

 

[Alcyone]

We are currently boatless other than a small Zodiac so haven't been in Studland yet this season to say what is on the VNAZ buoys. My point was that any sign has to be easily seen and understood, a buoy on it's own even marked 'VNAZ' is meaningless. If in France or Holland would you know what VNAZ meant in Dutch or French? I wouldn't and I suspect many Brits wouldn't work out what it stood for here either.

Agree entirely. Surely the obvious answer would be to use the standard no anchoring symbol, easy to understand for most boating folk.

Place a sniper in the dunes for the jetskiers and everyone's happy.

 

[Tranona]

Agree entirely. Surely the obvious answer would be to use the standard no anchoring symbol, easy to understand for most boating folk.

Place a sniper in the dunes for the jetskiers and everyone's happy.

No sand dunes on that stretch of shoreline - but good cliffs as a vantage point for spotting transgressors!

Just going to bend on sails for first time this year so may mosey out there in next couple of days to have a look at said markers.

 

[Alcyone]

No sand dunes on that stretch of shoreline - but good cliffs as a vantage point for spotting transgressors!

Just going to bend on sails for first time this year so may mosey out there in next couple of days to have a look at said markers.

Have a good sail. We're off to the boat in the morning for a long weekend. Still waiting for weather for Irish Sea, Monday to see if we'll go to Ireland.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

The latest comment from Trewhella - "Seagrass is protected under law" "There are many reasons to protect eelgrass in the UK. Seahorses are a bonus."

Apparently we're trying to save the eelgrass now and the seahorses are just along for the ride.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Maybe some locals could confirm if sufficient well placed Notices to Mariners exist.

I have never seen a notice to mariners and I am sure that the average weekend boater wouldn't go out of his way to look for one every weekend.

EDIT. I see that they are published by Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Average trailer boater isn't going to check that.

 

[glashen]

The latest comment from Trewhella - "Seagrass is protected under law" "There are many reasons to protect eelgrass in the UK. Seahorses are a bonus."

Apparently we're trying to save the eelgrass now and the seahorses are just along for the ride.

Could someone clear that one up, my understanding was that eelgrass was not protected (apart from as a habitat for Seahorses: which are of course protected).

Actually my own feeling is that the eelgrass is rather more important than the Seahorses, The eelgrass is habitat to many species and probably prevents erosion, it appears to be more widespread in the bay than it was say 25 years ago, despite being in decline generally. This to me shows the need for more proper unbiased scientific investigation.

It is good to see Steve as once again shown his true colours in the Echo rant.

 

[Alcyone]

Could someone clear that one up, my understanding was that eelgrass was not protected (apart from as a habitat for Seahorses: which are of course protected).

Actually my own feeling is that the eelgrass is rather more important than the Seahorses, The eelgrass is habitat to many species and probably prevents erosion, it appears to be more widespread in the bay than it was say 25 years ago, despite being in decline generally. This to me shows the need for more proper unbiased scientific investigation.

It is good to see Steve as once again shown his true colours in the Echo rant.

http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ukplans.aspx?id=35

Re: rants. A major weakness to be exploited, surely?

 

[Tranona]

Very interesting! Note that Studland does not get a single mention (that I could find).

Other interesting little nugget is the mention of Tributyl tin and its effect. Maybe the banning of this on yachts antifouling coupled with the cessation of trawling and dredging in the bay is an explanation for the expansion of the beds in recent years (and the "growth" in the seahorse population).

 

[glashen]

http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ukplans.aspx?id=35

Re: rants. A major weakness to be exploited, surely?

Yes, but I think it sad that the argument has become so polarized, as can be seen in the comments on the Echo Story. In fact it isn't in our or anyone's else long term interest to see the eelgrass decline. (Of course there is no evidence of that at Studland, anecdotally it is spreading and that plus some evidence of localized damage by anchors is the extent of the real evidence we have up to now.)

 

[Alcyone]

Yes, but I think it sad that the argument has become so polarized, as can be seen in the comments on the Echo Story. In fact it isn't in our or anyone's else long term interest to see the eelgrass decline. (Of course there is no evidence of that at Studland, anecdotally it is spreading and that plus some evidence of localized damage by anchors is the extent of the real evidence we have up to now.)

I agree entirely. One of the joys of sailing for me is to visit unspoiled places. The last thing I want to do is to be responsible for spoiling them.

I agree about the polarisation too. The problem as I see it is that few, if any have any real facts on the matter. The problem is that the polarisation leads to the sort of 'You don't know what you're talking about' comments we are all familiar with.

Seems to me a calm approach, and trying to stick to the facts we are sure of, whilst taking the time to gather the facts we are not sure of, is the way forward.

Will that happen though.........?

I'm off sailing. Have a good weekend, all.

 

[DogWatch]

from http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8194345.Wardens_to_patrol_Studland_in_bid_to_protect_seahorses

seahorse steve, wareham says...
9:48pm Wed 2 Jun 10
Thanks Moocha.
Its nice to know someone cares.
Jobsworths and purbeck paras cut and paste comments can be found on any news items where the word seahorse or Studland are found.
Its the same old misinformed dross.
Talk of 700k being spent by the seahorse huggers.??
Seahorses feeding around anchors as they are raised ??
These are all figments of thier over active imaginations, based on no facts.
Purbeck para talks about seeing two survey results already ??
I don't think so.
Unless they where written in crayon.
Seagrass is protected under UK law.
I would suggest Mr para takes a look at the seahorses status under the wildlife and countryside act, he seems to have a lot of time on his hands.
These people are the reason conservationists like myself exist.
They will throw thier toys out of the pram at any mention of ''conservation'' or ''climate change ''.
They see it as big brother trying to spoil thier fun.
If only it was that simple.
The marine act will have reserves in place by 2012.
We think Studland will become one.
Only then will it be managed for the greater good.
The cod fishermen in Newfoundland threw thier toys out of the pram when fisheries scientists told them cod stocks where crashing, a few years later the cod where all gone.
There are many reasons to protect eelgrass in the UK.
Seahorses are a bonus.
I would suggest some of you do a bit more homework before comming out with this nonsense.
Steve trewhella.

public domain post before Steve Treehouse starts threatening lawyers again.

Seagrass is protected under UK law.

Can anyone show this to be true? Are owners of rugs to be hated as much as those who buy ivory? Should I stop mowing my lawn for fear of killing garden grass?

Is Stevie arguing with any substantive fact here?

 

[FB122]

French stick

Well blow me over with a stale French Stick ! I've been without a laptop for two months and when I finally get one and get back dans la net I find Scuttle butt is still talking Studland and Seahorses.
Its a nice day for it though , if I was back over in Poole I'd take le bateaux round to Studland and have a nice homemade cream tea at anchor off the South Beach ... how Anglaise is that ? nothing finer .
Instead i'll have a Mcflurry and some free wifi with a splash of tea and my best girl by my side .
Anyone know how the Seahorse tagging is going? Last I heard they had only got 5 looks like the rest have moved over to the Bournemouth Smurf Reef .
Does that mean its protected as a Seahorse habitat ? So they won't be able to carry out any major surfing events there...interesting ?