WORKSHOPS will be held next week to boost people’s understanding of Studland Bay. 

Organised by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the three community workshops are for people who live, work and visit the bay. 

As England’s principle marine regulator, MMO is responsible for managing marine non-licensable activities within marine protected areas from 0-12 nautical miles of the shore.  

This includes activities such as anchoring, sailing, mooring and motorboating.  

In Studland Bay, MMO has included the introduction of a voluntary no-anchor zone with the support of residents to help protect and conserve the area’s valuable seagrass habitats. 

The seagrass is a designated feature of the Studland Bay conservation area and serves as an important nursery and feeding ground for rare species of seahorse, pipefish and rays as well as commercially valuable species such as seabream, bass and flat fish.  

The MMO said the upcoming workshops will help to highlight the social and cultural importance of Studland Bay in future decisions and initiatives related to its management.   

Held at the village hall in Heath Green Road the workshops will take place on Wednesday, November 15 between 10am and 1pm and 6pm and 8.30pm and on Thursday, November 16 at 1.30pm and 4.30pm. 

Aisling Lannin, head of evidence and evaluation at the Marine Management Organisation, said: “Studland Bay has a rich natural environment, cultural heritage and sense of community.  

“We look forward to welcoming as many of the local people as possible and hope this workshop will inspire you to help shed light on why the area and natural environment is so important to the community.” 

Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences on how they place importance, depend on and enjoy Studland Bay’s natural environment. 

This will be an interactive event, where attendees will be invited to participate in group discussions and activities.