Seagrass Awareness Boards
In August 2024 the SBMP unveiled 8 navigation and seagrass awareness boards at marinas across the local area.
The boards help recreational boat users to identify the marine protected area, seagrass beds and voluntary no anchor zone (VNAZ) providing practical tips so everyone can navigate and minimise any damage through anchoring and have a greater understanding of where the 87 eco-moorings are located for public use.
Funded as part of the Marine Management Organisation’s (MMO) FaSS grant awarded to the partnership in 2024, the design of the boards reflect those installed by the RYA’s environment programme The Green Blue but on a local, Studland specific level.
The partnership is once again offering marinas and yacht clubs the opportunity to book in a friendly and informative talk from the boating members of our Steering Group, all about Studland and the work of the SBMP over the coming months. Interested in booking? Please contact Project Office Sara.
Research & Monitoring
As a partnership we are very fortunate to be working with leading experts in marine conservation, with experience across numerous fields including marine ecology, social science, oceanography, marine policy and coastal dynamics who are monitoring the seagrass and marine life beneath the waves.
To support our monitoring programme, we now have a time-lapse camera installed overlooking the Voluntary No Anchor Zone. This camera takes multiple still images a day during the season when the full set of eco-moorings are out in the bay, and remotely sends them back to our Research and Monitoring Team. The images are then processed by software at the University of Southampton which can tell us the number of boats utilising the bay and help us to understand any patterns in boat activity. Having a better record and understanding of this will help us better protect the seagrass beds in Dorset’s largest seagrass meadow.
Welcome to our September eNews update!
Have you booked your ticket for the DCF Conference?
Don’t miss out, tickets are selling fast for this year’s conference on Thursday 24th October 2024 at the Weymouth Pavilion. We are delighted with the full agenda of inspiring speakers and workshop on communicating difficult conversations with coastal communities. Click on button below for the agenda, further conference details and ticket bookings.
Book you ticket
New Education Hub!
We’re really excited to share with you our new Education Hub webpage on the DCF website. The Education Hub is our new go-to resource for coastal information and learning materials. It is designed to provide students and teachers at schools, colleges, and universities with access to a wealth of educational resources related to the Dorset coast. Please take a look and share with your education teams and contacts.
Visit Education Hub
The new DCF wave tank’s first outing was a huge success
BCP Council used the tank at the Bournemouth Air Festival, engaging with over 1500 people! You can have a chance to have a play with the wave tank at the DCF Conference.
Dorset Coast Forum is inviting residents, visitors and businesses to have their say on proposed works to repair and update the Chesil Cove Curved Sea Wall.
How to have your say:
- Wednesday 25th September 1.30 – 4pm – public drop in event at Portland Community Venue.
The current wall was built in 1965 and designed to deflect waves and prevent major slumping of the land above which includes the main A354 road. Some repairs were undertaken on the wall in 2011, but these have now been undermined and the sea is causing rotational movement at the southern end, threatening the slope system further. Various studies have taken place to identify that urgent action is needed.
Dorset Council’s FCERM team along with consultants Jacob’s have identified a proposed work scheme for the cove which includes removal of the 2011 emergency repair works; replacing the sheet pile and repairs to the curved sea wall; and beach works including adding a geotextile blanket and rock revetment to dissipate the incoming wave energy. The team are currently working towards the production of an outline business case. If approved, planning, funding and licenses would then be sought ahead of any works, which likely won’t take place until at least 2026 or 2027.
Whilst initial proposals have been considered, now is the time for the community to be involved in the next steps for Chesil Cove, a much beloved bathing and diving spot. Local residents and stakeholders are encouraged to take part in the engagement events over the next month.
Esmari Steenkamp of Dorset Council’s FCERM team commented “This is an important piece of infrastructure for generations to come and we are working with experts to achieve the best solution. The curved sea wall protects not only the landscape but houses, businesses and roads. Therefore, we want to encourage the entire community to come and speak to us. It is important that they share their opinions on the proposal.”
As the summer continues, the team here at Arne are making the most of the warmer weather and making great strides to progress the project. The new embankments are coming along nicely and there have been several exciting new archaeological finds this month.
Find out more about the project >> Moors at Arne Coastal Change Project
