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Studland Bay

Studland Bay in Dorset possesses a sea grass habitat that supports a breeding population of seahorses. There are two species of seahorses found in the British Isles, the short snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus) and spiny seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus).

As well as providing this habitat for the local seahorse population, Studland Bay is also well used for recreational activities, including diving and leisure boating. This has led to some tension between the users of the bay and those with conservation interests who are keen to protect the seahorses and their habitat. We created a working group in 2010 to consider and address these issues. 

The group is called The Studland Bay Conservation and Recreational Activity Working Group. It includes representatives from a wide range of organisations and interest groups including:

• Marine Management Organisation
• Natural England
• The Crown Estate
• National Trust
• Dorset Wildlife Trust
• Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
• Seahorse Trust
• Southampton University
• Royal Yachting Association
• Parkestone, North Haven and Royal Motor yacht clubs
• Boat Owners' Response Group
• Studland Parish Council
• Studland Residents' Beach Association
• Studland Bay Preservation Association
• Finding Sanctuary (the regional marine conservation zone project team).

Since 2008, both species of seahorse have been listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), which makes it an offence to  intentionally  take, harm, kill or disturb these species. It is also an offence to intentionally damage or destroy the habitat that they use for shelter or protection, in this case the seagrass.