Eco moorings cut seagrass damage by 94% at England’s Studland Bay

At England’s Studland Bay, damage to seagrass caused by traditional boat anchors has fallen sharply after eco-moorings were introduced, with scars in one trial area shrinking by 94% between 2021 and 2025. Researchers say the recovery is also creating better conditions for marine life, including seahorses.The findings come from research by Kira Dunn, carried out as part of her master’s degree at the University of Southampton, The Guardian reported. Dunn analysed monitoring data collected after the Studland Bay Marine Partnership installed eco-moorings in 2021 to reduce physical disturbance to the seabed.The study focused on areas of seagrass affected by boat moorings. In the area where 10 trial eco-moorings were installed, bare patches in the seagrass shrank by an average of 94% over five years.