Voluntary no-anchor zone for Studland Bay
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has warned that if sailors fail to comply with the new voluntary no-anchor zone at Studland Bay then it will consider introducing bylaws banning anchoring altogether.
From 17 December 2021, boat owners will be unable to anchor off South Beach. The no-anchor zone will be extended further north and east in June 2022. This area is extremely popular with skippers as it provides excellent protection. The MMO is working with the UK Hydrographic Office to ensure the area is clearly marked on Admiralty charts.
The voluntary measures are being introduced as part of efforts to protect the eel grass that grows in Studland Bay, which is a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).
The MMO has said it will be looking to ‘inform and educate’ sailors about the new restrictions in 2021 and 2022, and this will be the first step before bylaws are considered.
‘It is ultimately the decision of the MMO to determine the level of non-compliance with the voluntary measure that will trigger the need for a statutory measure to be introduced. This will depend on the level of non-compliance over a period of time,’ it said, adding that ‘one act of non-compliance’ will not result in tighter restrictions.
The MMO will be actively monitoring the no-anchor zone during 2021 and a review will take place in the spring before it is extended on 1 June 2022. Sailors and other stakeholders will be asked their views.
Existing moorings will remain on the site but must be replaced with eco-moorings when they come to the end of their life. New eco-moorings can be applied for but the MMO highlights that the site will not be able to support more than 100 moorings. It will also not fund new moorings for Studland Bay.
Further details can be found by logging on to www.yachtingmonthly. com/studlandbay