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Studland Bay Marine Partnership

Studland Bay is home to rare seagrass meadows. This hidden underwater world sustains hundreds of marine species, including seahorses. As a partnership, we are working to protect this fragile habitat, while enabling boaters to continue enjoying the bay.

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The Studland Bay Marine Partnership brings together conservation charities, boating organisations, academics, statutory bodies, community groups and local businesses.

We all share one clear goal – to restore the bay’s seagrass meadows and the wildlife they support, while ensuring boaters can continue to enjoy its calm waters.

Top photo: © Jon Bunker

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Marine Conservation Zone

Despite the importance of seagrass meadows, they are globally threatened. It's estimated that we have lost one-third of the world's seagrass meadows in the last century. Seagrass meadows are extremely vulnerable to damage from traditional anchoring. When anchors and chains drag across the seabed, they tear up seagrass and leave scars that take years to recover.

To prevent further deterioration of the seagrass meadows at Studland Bay, the Marine Management Organisation created the Marine Conservation Zone and Voluntary No Anchor Zone. The partnership then provided eco-moorings so boaters can still enjoy the bay without harming this precious habitat.
Marine Conservation Zones are nationally important assets, and their successful management requires strong local engagement and support. The work of the Studland Bay Marine Partnership is a perfect example of this.
Jessica Churchill-Bissett, Head of Marine Conservation, Marine Management Organisation

Seagrass conservation in action

Marine Conservation Zones are like nature reserves in the sea. They are designated by the Marine Management Organisation, the government body responsible for protecting and enhancing the UK’s marine environment, while supporting sustainable marine activities.

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Seahorse amidst seagrass - it has changed colour to exactly match the green shade of the seagrass.
Anchor chain dragging along seabed.
A white and green eco-mooring on the sea.

Studland Bay's seagrass meadows on film

Click on the headings below to watch these fascinating films about our seagrass meadows.

All about eco-moorings

Watch this video by The Crown Estate putting a spotlight on Studland Bay and how the eco-moorings are helping restore the seagrass meadows.

Springwatch 2023

Join BBC Springwatch presenter, Megan McCubbin, as she visits Studland Bay and discovers the wealth of wildlife in the seagrass meadows.

New shoots

See how seagrass shoots are regrowing in the Voluntary No Anchor Zone, filmed in 2024 by divers from the University of Southampton.

Eco-moorings

Eco-moorings allow boaters to secure their vessels without damaging the seagrass, unlike traditional anchors. They are now being introduced across the UK, with Studland Bay recognised as an example of best practice.
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  • 87

    Eco-moorings

    installed to help protect the bay’s precious seagrass meadows

  • 73%

    Boaters

    using eco-moorings rather than traditional anchors

  • 34.5%

    Pay to moor

    boaters using a mooring and paying for it

  • 84

    Seahorses

    double the number of seahorses encountered in 2025 compared to 2024

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