Eco-moorings to be trialled along the south coast

Up to 70 eco-moorings are to be laid along the UK’s south and southwest coast as part of efforts to protect eelgrass meadows.

- Katy Stickland

The £2.5 million Recreation ReMEDIES project, which is being led by Natural England, will examine the pros and cons of different types of eco-moorings, their impact on sailors as well as their benefit for underwater habitats.

The project, which will run until October 2023, will also look at the impact other recreational activities have on eelgrass meadows, like walking and bait digging.

It will focus on the Isles of Scilly, River Fal, River Helford, Plymouth Sound and its estuaries, Essex Estuaries Special Areas of Conservation and Solent Maritime.

The types of eco-mooring and the exact locations are still being decided, although the RYA will be consulted before any are installed in discussion with harbour masters and boat owners, and all of them will be clearly marked.

The RYA’s environmental and sustainability manager, Phil Horton, said there were no proposals for banning access for boaters, although there may be voluntary restrictions in some areas.