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Studland Bay Marine Partnership

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The Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP) brings together stakeholders including conservation and boating organisations, academics, community groups and supporting local businesses. Formed to find a solution that meets the needs of the public and recreational boaters to continue to enjoy the bay, whilst protecting and restoring the sensitive seagrass habitat at Studland within the Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and Voluntary No Anchor Zone (VNAZ). The work of the partnership has been recognised by The Crown Estate in a new documentary Sea, Land and City. The Marine Management Organisation's (MMO) 2024 VNAZ Studland Bay Stakeholder survey is now live closing on Sunday 19th January 2025 - complete the survey here






What's happening now and how to pledge your support

Look for the location code tags on the pickup lines. Yellow stickers - 10 tonne. Blue stickers - 5 tonne.

Deployment of the existing eco-moorings and the additional new 57 commenced on 8 April 2024 has brought the total available to 87 in the bay with install now complete. We hope that all boaters will respect the VNAZ and use the eco-moorings now installed - during the winter months all but 10 eco-moorings will be removed to be cleaned, tested and maintained. The SBMP have contracted the skilled team from Apex Diving & Marine and removal is due 6-8 November 2024, weather dependant. The SBMP will leave 10 eco-moorings available all year round and reinstall the remainder at the beginning of each boating season. In order to achieve this cycle of maintenance and install the partnership will use the revenue achieved through mooring fees. All eco-moorings are subject to insurance compliance, for details please see the FAQs.

Boat users, who benefit themselves and the seagrass by using an eco-mooring, can forward their mooring fee via the simple to use Sippi Mooring App and we recommend downloading the app prior to your first use of the eco-moorings. The SBMP is not-for-profit and all funds raised support the project. Step by Step Guide to Pay to Moor If you experience any problems using the Sippi app please provide your feedback to the SBMP.

In 2024 the fee to use an eco-mooring was £10 for up to 24hrs and the partnership will be doing a season review to determine fees 2025.

If you'd like further details on the mooring fee scheme, questions on the installation, are interested in joining the partnership or becoming a corporate sponsor helping us to protect Studland's precious seagrass habitats for generations to come, please contact us.

One of the helical screws installed on 8 May 2024 attached to the rode which ensures the mechanism floats above the seagrass Credit Apex Diving & Marine


New for 2024 - our donation page kindly supported by the National Trust: Donate to the Studland Bay appeal

The MMO has now updated their dedicated webpage for Studland Bay with details on the 2023 survey MMO Studland Bay

The Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP) brings together stakeholders including conservation and boating organisations, academics, community groups and supporting local businesses. Formed to find a solution that meets the needs of the public and recreational boaters to continue to enjoy the bay, whilst protecting and restoring the sensitive seagrass habitat at Studland within the Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and Voluntary No Anchor Zone (VNAZ). The work of the partnership has been recognised by The Crown Estate in a new documentary Sea, Land and City. The Marine Management Organisation's (MMO) 2024 VNAZ Studland Bay Stakeholder survey is now live closing on Sunday 19th January 2025 - complete the survey here






What's happening now and how to pledge your support

Look for the location code tags on the pickup lines. Yellow stickers - 10 tonne. Blue stickers - 5 tonne.

Deployment of the existing eco-moorings and the additional new 57 commenced on 8 April 2024 has brought the total available to 87 in the bay with install now complete. We hope that all boaters will respect the VNAZ and use the eco-moorings now installed - during the winter months all but 10 eco-moorings will be removed to be cleaned, tested and maintained. The SBMP have contracted the skilled team from Apex Diving & Marine and removal is due 6-8 November 2024, weather dependant. The SBMP will leave 10 eco-moorings available all year round and reinstall the remainder at the beginning of each boating season. In order to achieve this cycle of maintenance and install the partnership will use the revenue achieved through mooring fees. All eco-moorings are subject to insurance compliance, for details please see the FAQs.

Boat users, who benefit themselves and the seagrass by using an eco-mooring, can forward their mooring fee via the simple to use Sippi Mooring App and we recommend downloading the app prior to your first use of the eco-moorings. The SBMP is not-for-profit and all funds raised support the project. Step by Step Guide to Pay to Moor If you experience any problems using the Sippi app please provide your feedback to the SBMP.

In 2024 the fee to use an eco-mooring was £10 for up to 24hrs and the partnership will be doing a season review to determine fees 2025.

If you'd like further details on the mooring fee scheme, questions on the installation, are interested in joining the partnership or becoming a corporate sponsor helping us to protect Studland's precious seagrass habitats for generations to come, please contact us.

One of the helical screws installed on 8 May 2024 attached to the rode which ensures the mechanism floats above the seagrass Credit Apex Diving & Marine


New for 2024 - our donation page kindly supported by the National Trust: Donate to the Studland Bay appeal

The MMO has now updated their dedicated webpage for Studland Bay with details on the 2023 survey MMO Studland Bay

  • SBMP receives funding to deliver innovative conservation projects in Studland Bay - November 2023

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    The Studland Bay Marine Partnership has been awarded £186,000 from the Marine Management Organisation’s Fisheries and Seafood Scheme to support the conservation of Studland Bay’s precious marine ecosystems. Studland Bay is home to Dorset’s most extensive seagrass meadow and provides a unique habitat for lots of important species like the Spiny Seahorse and the endangered undulate ray.

    The new funding, which has been secured following a successful funding bid with Dorset Council, will contribute to a larger £248,000 conservation project to support this special site, the wildlife that live there, and the water users who enjoy it.

    The project, which will see an additional 57 eco-moorings installed in the bay, and the continuation of the partnership’s research and monitoring programme, will be delivered by the Studland Bay Marine Partnership.

    Funds from the award will also be used to complete the formulisation of the partnership, provide more information for boat users in the Studland and Poole harbour marina areas, and continue an engagement programme, led by the Dorset Coast Forum, throughout 2024 and beyond.

  • Win for marine wildlife at Studland Bay, as the second eco-mooring installation is a success - June 2023

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    The Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP) are proud to announce a further win for marine wildlife and boaters alike at Studland Bay, by installing additional 21 eco-moorings. This follows the 10 that were installed in 2021. In addition, 12 existing moorings have been converted into eco-moorings (belonging to private owners) which will bring the total number installed in the bay to 43.


    The installation is possible following the successful fundraising that saw the partnership come together and raise £66,000 through a mixture of crowdfunding, corporate partners such as SEA LIFE and the SEA LIFE TRUST and THE PIG-on the beach, private individuals, and donations from organisations such as the National Trust and The Crown Estate and charities including Plastic Free North Devon. The project has benefited hugely from the support of members of the partnership, including boatfolk who have provided support facilitating the installations to date. The partnership will continue its fundraising efforts and has applied for funding to install a further 57 eco-moorings by 2024. The plan for long-term management is for the SBMP to take ownership and management responsibility for all eco-moorings, funded through daily mooring fees as well as private donations and sponsorship.

Page last updated: 09 Dec 2024, 03:18 PM