Over on TOP there's been much debate over the proposals for Studland Bay. It's far from the only spot under threat, however. This site is worth a look - and possibly a vote or two. http://www.yourseasyourvoice.com/mpa/?region=9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
While some proposals e.g. Cape Wrath are unlikely to be an issue (anyone ever anchored there or planning to?) others are. See for example the proposal for Upper Loch Torridon.
Threatened anchorages
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Alan_D
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Re: Threatened anchorages
I am a bit confused. What seems to be proposed are restrictions on fishing but the text makes frequent disparaging references to anchoring. Are they expecting to reduce anchor-damage by keeping fishing boats away, or is it anticipated there will be a restriction in anchoring as well as fishing? (The proposal in Loch Sunart is close to my mooring but doesn't encroach on any likely anchorages.) Trawling and dredging are such destructive methods of catching fish that I would be happy to see some limits on them.
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DaveS
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Re: Threatened anchorages
Quick reply just to bump this up as much as anything else.
I think the distinction between anchoring and trawling / dredging is a really important one which needs to be highlighted since the relative difference in sea bed damage must be several orders of magnitude. This point appears to escape the militant conservationists who take the view that any damaging activity should be stopped entirely.
Has anyone here ever anchored at the head of Upper Loch Torridon? I have the impression that it is lightly used - maybe an average of 1 or 2 boats per night over the summer - but that's not based on any real evidence. Anyone know better?
I think the distinction between anchoring and trawling / dredging is a really important one which needs to be highlighted since the relative difference in sea bed damage must be several orders of magnitude. This point appears to escape the militant conservationists who take the view that any damaging activity should be stopped entirely.
Has anyone here ever anchored at the head of Upper Loch Torridon? I have the impression that it is lightly used - maybe an average of 1 or 2 boats per night over the summer - but that's not based on any real evidence. Anyone know better?
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Silkie
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Re: Threatened anchorages
It's hard to make a case to support what is essentially a rich man's (I exclude the owners of craft of LOA <= 22' of course) leisure activity without feeling on the back foot but the point you make is absolutely valid Dave.
The damage done by even the tiniest of the west coast trawlers harrowing the sea bed must easily exceed a couple of sq.km/week/boat of almost total destruction of that habitat. The average scratch from a yacht deploying a modern anchor (
) would be unlikely to do more than slightly disturb some tens of sq.cm/set at worst.
The damage done by even the tiniest of the west coast trawlers harrowing the sea bed must easily exceed a couple of sq.km/week/boat of almost total destruction of that habitat. The average scratch from a yacht deploying a modern anchor (
) would be unlikely to do more than slightly disturb some tens of sq.cm/set at worst.different colours made of tears
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Piperatsea
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Re: Threatened anchorages
There seems to be loads of wild panic on this issue. The epicentre seems to be Studland Bay where an experiment to assess the impact of anchoring has been destroyed. This means we'll never know what impact anchoring has on sea grass. The danger now is that the precautionary principal is applied and an impact is assumed.
The legislation is quite different in Scotland and Marine Scotland seem to have a sensible view of leisure boaters. So fingers crossed...
The RYA and BMF have people to lobby on our behalf but their knowledge of what is going on north of the M27 seems pretty limited. It seems that RYA Scotland should get someone to do the job up here.
The legislation is quite different in Scotland and Marine Scotland seem to have a sensible view of leisure boaters. So fingers crossed...
The RYA and BMF have people to lobby on our behalf but their knowledge of what is going on north of the M27 seems pretty limited. It seems that RYA Scotland should get someone to do the job up here.