The Studland Seagrass and Seahorse Project 2011 proved to be very successful with 220 questionnaires completed by boat owners at Studland Bay and also at local marinas. Read more...

Studland Bay is being put forward as one of the new Marine Conservation Zones being created around the country as a result of the Marine & Coastal Access Act 2009.

The 2011 Studland Seagrass and Seahorse Project has started at Studland Bay. Click through to read more below.

Conservationists have discovered an important haven for one of Dorset’s most endangered marine animals in Swanage and Studland bays. A survey this year identified the area as showing all the signs of being a nursery ground for undulate rays, one of the prettiest and smallest of our British skates and rays.

The newly appointed Marine Management Organisation (MMO) held a meeting on 24th November 2010 to collect information from all interested parties about the Studland seagrass meadows and potential impacts from boating. Representatives from various conservation organisations, the Crown Estate, Royal Yachting Association, National Oceanography Centre and local community came together to present their evidence. The MMO is a statutory authority with powers to manage the marine environment granted under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. A second meeting may follow with the aim of establishing a working group to look into future management of the site.

Research carried out at Studland on tagged seahorses and the impacts of achoring and mooring in seagrass have been published and the reports can be viewed in full at the Seahorse Tagging Project PDF

On Saturday 28th August 2010 The Seahorse Trust found the smallest Seahorse so far recorded at Studland since their tagging survey started. The female Spiny Seahorse measured only 4cm long and was about 2 months old. After finding pregnant males and juvenile seahorses this 'fry' confirms that the young stay on site after being born. Although it was too small to be tagged, researchers managed to measure and photograph the baby seahorse. For more information go to The Seahorse Trust News page.

Photograph by: Neil Garrick-Maidment

An American system, new to the UK, normally used for moorings, is being used to replace the markers of an independent study to examine the impacts of recreational boat anchoring on seagrass in Studland Bay.

East Dorset Open Water Swimming Club held its inaugural Seahorse Challenge open water swim race in the beautiful Studland Bay on 27 June 2010. The race had been eight months in the planning and attracted a high class field of competitors from all over Southern England and the Midlands.The event was held by kind permission of the National Trust and run in support of the National Trust and the The Studland Seagrass and Seahorse Study Group. Studland is the only coastal area in Britain where there is a known colony of breeding seahorses which makes it a very special place. For more information please follow the link to the: East Dorset Open Water Swimming Club

Good weather in May and June has resulted in several very busy weekends at Studland. Photographs show boats tied up to the marker buoys.