[ad_1]
VNAZ was introduced in 2021 to protect seagrass beds and the animals they house from damage caused by anchors falling and weight. This review will reflect on VNAZ’s first year in place. This will help the MMO understand what has worked and what can be improved for 2023 to ensure effective management of the Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).
As part of this review, MMO is inviting stakeholders to share their feedback and experiences of VNAZ through an online survey. They will want to hear your views on VNAZ, including your awareness, implications of VNAZ and MMO’s engagement with stakeholders and customers. The feedback that MMO collects will help review the VNAZ, along with other evidence and data. This may include information on the number of vessels within the VNAZ and any new ecological data.
Feedback from this survey is important to the work MMO does and will help VNAZ compliance now and in the future.
At Studland Bay, seagrass beds provide many important ecological functions. Seagrass beds stabilize sediments, provide habitat for species such as commercially important fish and seahorses, and act as a sink for atmospheric carbon. The long-snouted seahorse is a protected species and a designated feature of the MCZ, providing additional protection. There are also bass and undulate rays, both of which are endangered.
The bay’s sheltered status provides protection not only for seagrasses and seahorses, but also for boaters and water users, who provide shelter for people traveling long distances. Tourism and entertainment businesses also benefit from its attractive environment.
Currently, anchoring activity in the seagrass beds in the Studland Bay MCZ poses a risk to achieving the site’s conservation objectives. Seagrass beds and long-term seahorses in the bay have been assessed by Natural England as being at risk.
You can access this survey online through this link. The survey is ongoing from 9 December 2022 to 20 January 2023. Please contact MMO if you need any assistance completing the survey.
After the survey is completed, MMO will share the output on their webpage. You can also find more information about MCZ and VNAZ, including MMO’s assessment of the site, habitat protection strategies and frequently asked questions.
[ad_2]
Source link
