No-anchor zone to save seahorses
Written By: Administrator | Date Posted: October 9, 2009 | No Comments »Boat owners are being asked to observe a no-anchor zone in Dorset’s Studland Bay to help protect seahorses.
The voluntary zone has been set up by the Crown Estate and Natural England in an effort to preserve seagrass meadows which provide the seahorses’ habitat.
Yellow buoys have been installed to mark the area, which will also be included on sea maps.
The seagrass meadows in Studland Bay are home to protected spiny and short-snouted seahorses.
Boaters will be asked to avoid anchoring inside the zone, which will be monitored to find out whether there is any impact on the seagrass or seahorse population.
The study is being carried out by The Crown Estate, Natural England, Royal Yachting Association and Studland Seagrass and Seahorse Study Group.
Short-snouted and spiny seahorses are among the species protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
