Voluntary No-Anchor Zone (VNAZ)

Background Information

Seagrass meadow is a scarce habitat in the UK and is in decline worldwide.  It is a UK priority habitat and is on the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats. The presence of breeding seahorses, now a protected species, at Studland, emphasises the need to ensure that human activities are not damaging this habitat. 

Boat anchors have a small-scale but direct physical impact on seagrass when they drag along the seabed - uprooting the plants - and fixed mooring chains can scour an area of seabed around the mooring. What we don't know is how to put these impacts into perspective - does the cumulative effect of hundreds of anchors over a year add up to a noticeable impact, compared with natural events, such as an easterly gale?

A Two-Year Study

As part of a two-year study into the effects of boating on seagrass meadows, a small (100m x 100m) Voluntary No-Anchor Zone (VNAZ) is being set up in Studland. This will be clearly marked by yellow buoys and boat owners are asked to keep out of the marked area.  The health of the seagrass in and around the VNAZ will be monitored over this period. 

The VNAZ is voluntary but it will be monitored, as the scientists need to know how effective it has been before making any conclusions about the overall impact of anchoring on the seagrass meadow.  The level of boat use in the area will also be monitored over the study period. 

How You Can Help

Please respect the sensitivity of the seagrass meadow at Studland and please do not anchor in the Voluntary No-Anchor Zone. 

Where is the Voluntary No-Anchor Zone?

A Google Earth overlay of the VNAZ can be downloaded as a KMZ (2kb) file.

Does This Mean Boats Will Be Banned?

That would be pre-judging the scientific study.  If the results show there is a problem, the Group will meet to try to find a solution that is acceptable to all.  In the meantime, please respect the VNAZ and try to avoid anchoring directly in seagrass. If you are anchoring in this area, when raising your anchor, please motor to it and lift vertically, so as not to drag it through the seabed.

Click here for a boating fact sheet on seagrass (874kb)

Exposed Seagrass Rhizomes by Mike Markey

Download the
No-Anchor Zone
Postcard