Studland Bay was given an underwater spruce-up on Saturday 23rd May 2012 when divers removed litter from the seabed as part of an international Dive against Debris. Local PADI Dive Centre Flippas-n-Fins teamed up with Dorset Wildlife Trust for the special event, which saw twenty divers collecting a variety of rubbish from plastic cups and knives to discarded rope and even an old boat rudder, from the seagrass meadow.

Divers were keen to clear away some of the rubbish on the seabed to help improve the health of the seagrass meadows

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Marine Awareness Officer, Julie Hatcher, said: “This event was meticulously planned and all the divers followed a strict protocol to ensure there was no disturbance to the important wildlife of this sensitive site. The divers were keen to clear away some of the rubbish on the seabed to help improve the health of the seagrass meadows which are home to a multitude of wildlife including seahorses and the endangered undulate ray.”
Although the water was far from clear, divers reported seeing a variety of wildlife including spider crabs, cuttlefish eggs and plenty of the seahorses’ favourite food, mysid shrimps.

Dive organiser, Mark Ninnim, said: “We first had an idea of a beach clean and after reading about PADI’s (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Project AWARE Dive Against Debris. Because of the sensitivity of the area, we worked very closely with Dorset Wildlife Trust. I would also like to thank Emma Wright from the National Trust for her help and Leon Coupland, of Poole Accident Repair, for providing us with sponsorship and the use of their classroom. Everyone involved with the weekend feels that they’ve done something very positive to look after the aquatic wildlife in the area.”

Studland Bay has been recommended as a Marine Conservation Zone, part of a countrywide network of marine protected areas

As seahorses are a protected species a licence is required by anyone searching for them at Studland. The full divers’ protocol and more information can be found byringing DWT on 01929 481044. Studland Bay has been recommended as a Marine Conservation Zone, part of a countrywide network of marine protected areas. To show your support go to wildlifetrusts.org.uk and sign the online Petition Fish or join the new MCZ Friends group and help ensure Studland Bay is not lost from the network. Images by Steve Trewhella see www.ukcoastalwildlife.co.uk.