Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone: assessments, decisions and monitoring
Formal assessments, decisions, strategy documents and monitoring reports about MMOs management of marine non licensable activities at Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)
Assessment and decision
MMO assessed the effects of marine non licensable activities at Studland Bay and concluded that management was needed for anchoring because of the physical damage it causes to seagrass.
Read the Studland Bay MZ marine non licensable activity assessment
Read the Studland Bay MZ decision document
Habitat Protection Strategy and voluntary no anchor zone
The Habitat Protection Strategy records MMOs management approach, including the voluntary approach to anchoring and guidance about moorings.
Read the Studland Bay MCZ Habitat Protection Strategy
Working with the Studland Bay Marine Partnership
The Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP) brings together stakeholders, including conservation and boating organisations, academics, community groups and local businesses.
The partnership works to balance the needs of local people and recreational boaters with the needs of local people and recreational boaters with the protection and restoration of Studland Bay’s sensitive seagrass habitat. It includes fundraising to install advanced eco moorings in the bay. These provide visitors with a sustainable alternative to anchoring within the voluntary no anchor zone (VNAZ).
The Marine Management Organisation is committed to working closely with the partnership and other stakeholders to protect Studland Bay’s seagrass beds and other protected habitats and species.
Monitoring and reviews
MMO has published reviews of the voluntary no anchor zone to monitor how the approach is working and improve understanding of activity and site coordination.
Historic engagement and consultation
October 2020 - MMO call for evidence
MMO sought stakeholder views on the draft assessment of the impacts of marine non-licensable activities in Studland Bay MCZ and proposed management options. Following a review of all feedback received from the call for evidence, it was concluded that management measures would be developed for anchoring due to the pressure it causes at current levels towards the designated features of the MCZ. The Studland Bay MCZ Decision Document details MMO’s response to feedback received.
March 2021 – formal engagement period
Dorset Coast Forum facilitated a formal engagement period for MMO to gain further input from stakeholders about three draft anchoring management options. The purpose of this was to inform the approach to managing anchoring in Studland Bay MCZ and to ensure the necessary level of environmental protection while minimising impacts on users of the sea. A summary of the engagement can be found on the Dorset Coast Have Your Say website.
September 2021 – Studland Bay MCZ Habitat protection strategy launch
MMO announced the voluntary approach to stakeholders. MMO engaged with representatives from key stakeholder groups to share information and invite feedback.
Contact us
Please contact us if you have any queries, feedback and/or suggestions: conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk