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Dorset’s seahorses are the stars of a new film by one of the world’s leading underwater wildlife cameramen. Dorset Wildlife Trust has released the short film, featuring stunning footage by Doug Anderson, to support its call for protection of Studland Bay’s unique wildlife.
‘Studland’s Seahorses’ is a rare chance to see British seahorses in their breeding habitat in the seagrass of Studland Bay. The seagrass meadows are a fragile habitat in one of the country’s most popular anchorages for pleasure boats, and conservationists are calling for them to be protected as one of the new Marine Protected Areas.
A chance to see these most elusive and charming animals
Julie Hatcher, Marine Awareness Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, found the first pregnant seahorse to be photographed at Studland in 2004. She said: “With this film, we are giving everybody a chance to see these most elusive and charming animals hidden in the seagrass of Studland Bay. This beautiful film should be enough to convince anybody that Studland Bay needs to be protected and we hope people will pledge their support for The Wildlife Trusts’ Petition Fish campaign to achieve the promised Marine Protected Areas.”
Next year should see the UK’s first network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). To meet international obligations the Government must designate and establish an ecologically coherent network of MPAs around the UK by the end of 2012. The Wildlife Trusts are urging everyone to sign a scale in The Petition Fish campaign across the country to ensure that the Government delivers a large enough network with sufficient protection to succeed.
Pledge your support
Doug Anderson is one of the world’s leading wildlife cameramen. Specialising in underwater film and video, he has worked worldwide creating sequences for award winning BBC series such as The Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Life. All the filming took place in Studland Bay.
You can watch the film and pledge support at our website, at Bournemouth’s Oceanarium and marine attractions around the county. You can also support the Petition Fish campaign by texting ‘FISH’ with your name and postcode to 60777 or sign in person at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Marine Centre in Kimmeridge Bay or HQ at Brooklands Farm, Forston, near Dorchester DT2 7AA.
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Notes to Editor
For more information please contact Julie Hatcher at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01929 481044.
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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Working for a secure future for Dorset’s wildlife enriching the quality of life
Dorset Wildlife Trust works to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. Founded in 1961, DWT is now the largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, with over 25,000 members and over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve. DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues and leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.
Blog /wildlife-matters-blog.html
Doug Anderson http://doug-anderson.com/
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Spiny Seahorse at Studland Bay
Photo by Emma Rance
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