solenthandbook.com 20 BOATING AROUND WILDLIFE Osborne Bay, Isle of Wight - New Voluntary No Anchor Zone Seagrass is a unique habitat, providing many benefits to both the environment and society. A healthy seagrass bed improves biodiversity, increases carbon storage and reduces coastal erosion, as well as providing a home for many protected and commercial species. However, seagrass is vulnerable to damage from a range of pressures including water quality, storms and recreational activity. Osborne Bay hosts a significant seagrass bed, but there are already signs of impact from boating activities. Surveys indicate a high level of anchoring pressure compared to other areas of the Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation. Reducing and removing these pressures will allow this seagrass to flourish without need for restorative measures. This is being achieved through a Voluntary No Anchor Zone (VNAZ), it’s location will be indicated through marker buoys in the Bay. The VNAZ has been planned in consultation with the local boating community and designed to ensure boaters are able to make informed decisions about where they anchor in Osborne Bay. BOATING AROUND WILDLIFE Support The 10 - 14 June is The Green Blue’s Boating Wildlife Awareness Week, a chance for boat and watersports users to learn more about how to safely share the water with wildlife. The Green Blue, the environmental awareness programme for the Royal Yachting Association, will be sharing information and fun facts throughout the week across their website and social media channels. You can support the week by following #BoatingWildlifeAware. Follow The Green Blue on Facebook, Twitter: @TheGreenBlue and Instagram: @the_green_blue. You can also visit The Green Blue website: thegreenblue.org.uk where you can find further information, guidance videos and downloadable resources. Paul Wyeth