Studland - another MCZ voluntary no anchor zone review - stakeholder survey - closes 19 Jan 2025
- Thread starter wonkywinch
- Start date
SaltyC
Well-known member
Didn't we do well, tell us how you think it has benefitted all.
Why is no one willing to give actual facts of the benefits of the ban?
How much greater is tge area of seagrass?
What has been tge effect on tge Seahorse population?
Why is no one willing to give actual facts of the benefits of the ban?
How much greater is tge area of seagrass?
What has been tge effect on tge Seahorse population?
Boathook
Well-known member
Boats are stuffed regarding Studland.
If the seagrass expands it is because the anchor ban has allowed it to. If it contracts in any way it is because the anchor hasn't been vigorously enforced.
They should have been surveying the seagrass expanse for years to see what it is doing.
Seahorses seem to be doing well but not necessarily in Studland. Someone saw one in Poole town Quay this year.
If the seagrass expands it is because the anchor ban has allowed it to. If it contracts in any way it is because the anchor hasn't been vigorously enforced.
They should have been surveying the seagrass expanse for years to see what it is doing.
Seahorses seem to be doing well but not necessarily in Studland. Someone saw one in Poole town Quay this year.
Moonbeam
Active member
This was on the local news a week ago.
'Largest UK seagrass restoration project to end' Largest UK seagrass restoration project to end after five years
'Largest UK seagrass restoration project to end' Largest UK seagrass restoration project to end after five years
mainsail1
Well-known member
I have filled in the survey along the lines that the ban should be lifted until proper scientific proof is provided to show it makes sense. Dream on, I hear you say. But you have to keep trying.
Sailing steve
Active member
Doubtless all the marinas and local businesses in Poole harbour will have benefitted handsomely from an increase in the number of visiting yachts since the ban on anchoring in Studland was introduced.
Any information gathered in order to assess whether or not the ban should remain in force needs to be based solely on scientific evidence and be entirely free from influence by vested interests or commercial pressure from businesses.
Any information gathered in order to assess whether or not the ban should remain in force needs to be based solely on scientific evidence and be entirely free from influence by vested interests or commercial pressure from businesses.
Boathook
Well-known member
All the small boats, especially motor just carry on. Larger boats seem to be anchoring more to the north of the bay. Majority of the boats using Studland are Poole based, the same as those who anchor in Poole harbour.
st599
Well-known member
The last government announced that, to reduce the impact on the UK populace of decarbonisation, we'd store carbon in salt marshes and sea grass beds. Expanding the concept of ‘blue carbon’: Cefas science on coastal ecosystems and their role in tackling climate change – Marine Science
I doubt the government will want to give up on the initiative and force quicker, more expensive changes on the rest of the populace. So we need to find alternatives. The days of dropping the hook in a quiet bay are numbered.
doug748
Well-known member
Interesting to note that there is finally some recognition of the point that BORG repeatably made - that much of the seagrass research used to prop up these adventures is focussed on a totally different species:
" Mim Daughtery, seagrass aquaculture lead at the aquarium, said there was "so much about seagrass we're still learning".
She said: "We work with zostera marina, that species here can be completely different to the species that we have in Germany."
As for what Governments might want, say or do, it strikes me that they are looking increasingly like defeated generals trapped in a bunker of their own making. Making elaborate battle plans with battalions that no longer exist.
.
" Mim Daughtery, seagrass aquaculture lead at the aquarium, said there was "so much about seagrass we're still learning".
She said: "We work with zostera marina, that species here can be completely different to the species that we have in Germany."
As for what Governments might want, say or do, it strikes me that they are looking increasingly like defeated generals trapped in a bunker of their own making. Making elaborate battle plans with battalions that no longer exist.
.
Sailing steve
Active member
If that's the case and boats are just carrying on anchoring then what's the point of the ban in the first place if it's not being enforced and how can any changes in the seabed conditions be properly assessed if the ban on anchoring is being widely ignored?
st599
Well-known member
At the moment it's a voluntary no anchor zone. They hoped people wouldn't ignore it, but stated at the time they'd change the law if they did.
Tranona
Well-known member
That is because there is more evidence that anchoring has no significant impact on seagrass than it does. However that evidence is ignored because it does not fit the desired narrative.
chriss999
Well-known member
I’ve been able to stop in studland bay whenever passing recently. Either anchor along with hundreds of small Poole-based mobo’s, or tied up to one of the moorings. Haven’t noticed an issue. Maybe I’m doing it all wrong?
wonkywinch
Well-known member
Perhaps I shouldn't admit it here but I view the mooring fee, enforced by a parking company, as voluntary. I haven't seen one of their wardens patrolling the area as yet.
If I was to ever receive a
Parking tickets, fines & parking
Sandy
Well-known member
I wonder if they are going to stop our 'friends in black', shhhhhh, who operate out of Poole from training there?
Tranona
Well-known member
They still do - but would not normally go into the no anchoring zone. Mainly used for drops from aircraft into the deeper water. Not seen any exercises working from shore out wards across the seagrass.
Sailing steve
Active member
I'm not sure paying a fee for using one of Studland's eco mooring buoys is unreasonable - after all somebody has to fork out to buy and lay and maintain them so recouping that cost is fair enough, but that's not quite the same as paying a fine for dropping the hook in a no anchoring zone if there's no justification apart from financial gain for the area concerned to be declared one.
That's where the core of the matter lies - is anchoring damaging the seagrass or not? If it is then fair enough, but if not...
Sandy
Well-known member
I was thinking more about several high speed craft upsetting the sea horses and other marine life rather than just anchoring.
In an rather obtuse way, wondering if the MMO wanted to stop all activity.
st599
Well-known member
As has been said earlier in the thread, it's moved on from seagrasses being damaged. The government plan requires carbon capture in the sea bed and that is affected by anchors. It releases the captured carbon.
Tranona
Well-known member
As I suggested the marines don't seem to go into the NAZ areas, although as others have noted many other rower boats do and some of the wild claims say this disturbs the seagrass - but no evidence to support it. it seems though with some evidence that noise from engines and propellers does disturb sealife.