Support Studland's seahorses

Visitors to one of Dorset’s top beaches are being urged to help protect its seahorses. The seagrass meadows in Studland Bay are the only known breeding site in the U.K. for both spiny and short-snouted seahorses, but Studland is also one of the most popular anchorages in the south, with up to 300 visiting boats a day during the summer months. A voluntary no-anchor zone on a small area of seabed at South Beach is now in place and boat owners are being urged to show their support by displaying special seahorse supporter stickers on their boats.

Sign up and save seahorses

You can sign up for your free sticker and find out all you need to know about the seahorses at www.ssssg.org.uk, the website of the Studland Seagrass and Seahorse Study Group. The group was set up in 2008, and includes Natural England, The National Trust, The Crown Estate, Dorset Wildlife Trust, The Seahorse Trust, The Royal Yachting Association, Poole yacht clubs, Studland Parish Council, Bournemouth and Southampton Universities and local businesses. The group of landowners, conservationists and bay users is working to find out more about the possible impacts of boating activity on the seahorses’ breeding habitats and to let people know about the amazing wildlife that is present literally just off the beach.

Positive response from boaters

Last summer, beach officers for the group monitored boat numbers and talked to people about the seahorses and other wildlife. They found that over 68% of people questioned were in favour of protecting the site from damage while less than 1% felt there was no need for any protection.

Julie Hatcher, Marine Awareness Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Most people we have spoken to are delighted that seahorses live right here on our doorstep, and feel we should be taking every opportunity to ensure they continue to thrive at Studland. They are happy to do all they can to help, even if this means making changes to their boating. We hope people will show their support by displaying their free sticker.”

How you can help

The seagrass is easily spotted, looking like a larger version of grass, growing on the seabed. You can help Studland’s seahorses by :

• not anchoring in the voluntary no-anchor zone
• anchoring on bare sand only
• not emptying boat toilets in the bay
• not throwing litter over the side
• if accidentally anchored on the seagrass, motoring to the anchor before pulling it in (to avoid ploughing a trench in the seagrass
• keeping low speed if travelling over seagrass

Find out more

The voluntary no-anchor zone off South Beach is marked by yellow buoys. You can sign up to show your support and receive a free sticker at www.ssssg.org.uk. For more information, contact Julie Hatcher at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01929 481044.