The Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP) has announced that it has almost completed the installation of 21 new eco-moorings designed to protect the valuable seagrass meadows of Studland Bay in Dorset, UK.
Described by the SBMP as a ‘win for marine life and boaters alike’, seven new moorings have been installed so far, with the remainder due to be completed by the end of June. The new moorings are an addition to 10 that were installed in 2021, plus 12 existing moorings belonging to private boat owners that have been converted into eco-moorings, bringing the total number of eco-moorings installed in Studland Bay to 43.
The design of the eco-moorings – which use a helical screw anchor permanently installed into the sea bed, connected to a mooring buoy using an elastic rode – provides an environmentally friendly alternative to regular anchors, which can damage the seabed and seagrass meadows, an essential habitat for seahorses and the fry of commercial fish species. Seagrass is also a vital source of ‘blue carbon’, for its ability to sequester carbon dioxide up to 35 times more efficiently than rainforests.
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The eco-mooring installation was made possible by a successful fundraising campaign held in early 2023, which raised £66,000 through a mixture of crowdfunding, corporate partners, charities, and private individuals. The project has been widely supported by the boating community, and the SBMP says it will continue its fundraising efforts, with the intention of installing a further 57 eco-moorings by 2024.
The plan for long-term management is for the SBMP to take ownership and management responsibility for all eco-moorings, funded through daily mooring fees as well as private sponsorship.
In 2019 Studland Bay became a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), a legally protected area formally recognised for its important habitats and species, including protected species such as the spiny seahorse (Hippocampus histrix) and endangered undulate rays (Raja undulate).
Neil Garrick-Maidment, Founder and Executive Director of the Seahorse Trust said: ‘This latest installation is once again a huge achievement for Studland Bay and the broader conservation sector. Since the beginning of this project, we’ve seen awareness and interest in protecting seahorses rise, with the public coming alive to the importance of this magical species.
‘This latest installation will allow more members of the public to make use of eco-moorings and advocate for their continued expansion locally but also further afield now that we’ve demonstrated the success of this project.’
Michael Prideaux, Managing Director of boating community boatfolk, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to see this next critical phase in the Studland Bay eco-mooring project come to fruition. Providing a sustainable alternative to traditional anchoring at Studland Bay is a mission we have been painstakingly pursuing since our initial conversation with Neil of the Seahorse Trust two years ago.
‘To have 43 environmentally friendly options available for boaters wishing to visit this remarkable location this season is a joy to see. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from corporate sponsors and the boating community alike, and we look forward to maintaining the momentum towards a greener future for Studland Bay.’
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