Marine Management Organisation
Details
Studland Bay MCZ
Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) lies within the 6 nautical mile limit in English waters, on the Dorset coast. Studland Bay MCZ was formally designated on 31 May 2019. The site has four designated features: intertidal coarse sediment, long-snouted seahorse also known as spiny seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus), subtidal sand and seagrass beds.
Management Approach
The Studland Bay MCZ Habitat Protection Strategy provides an overview of MMOs management approach for marine non-licensable activities in Studland Bay MCZ. In addition, guidance is provided regarding installation of moorings. A summary is provided below.
Anchoring
MMO has introduced a phased voluntary approach for the management of anchoring in Studland Bay MCZ over 2021 and 2022. We recognise that this area is important safety refuge for vessels. Safety of life at sea will always come first. The right to anchor under emergency conditions, or to avoid a genuine emergency situation, within Studland Bay will continue.
Phase 1 commenced on 17 December 2021. An interim voluntary no anchor zone was introduced.
Phase 2 commenced on 1 June 2022. In phase 2, the interim zone was replaced by a larger area to protect the majority of the of seagrass habitat in the Bay. Boat users are requested not to anchor in the zoned area to protect the designated habitats and species which are sensitive to damage from anchoring.
The shapefiles for the zones can be downloaded via the links below. Please also see the Studland Bay MCZ Habitat Protection Strategy for additional maps displaying these zones, coordinates and further information.
- Shapefile from Defra group ArcGIS Online organisation
- Feature Layer from Defra group ArcGIS Online organisation
Other marine non-licensable activities
A monitoring and control plan has been put in place for all the other marine non-licensable activities which were taken forward for assessment. No further management is being introduced for other activities at this time.
Mooring
The installation of moorings is managed through the MMO marine licensing process. The installation, maintenance and removal of both temporary seasonal moorings and permanent moorings would require an application to MMO for determination. The Studland Bay MCZ Habitat Protection Strategy provid