What is the Studland Seagrass and Seahorse Study Group (SSSSG) and what does it do?
The SSSSG is a partnership of stakeholders, including local community representatives and relevant statutory and non-statutory organisations, including Natural England. Its primary aims are to make all users of Studland Bay aware of the importance of seagrass for seahorses and a diversity of marine life, engage them in its conservation and encourage respect for the sensitive seagrass meadow. The SSSSG would like to see seahorses and their habitat continue to thrive whilst maintaining recreational enjoyment of Studland Bay. A communications project, recommended and advised by the SSSSG has been implemented alongside scientific studies. This work was carried out by the Dorset Wildlife Trust, funded by Natural England. It raised public awareness of the sensitivity of seagrass to physical damage, the presence of seahorses and ways in which people can minimise the impact of their activities on seagrass and by implication, seahorses. Work included the production of a leaflet and website and
