SECRETS OF THE SOLENT: A REFLECTION WILDLIFE Artist ATM, Siân Addison duration, Secrets of the Solent has used a variety of creative projects to reach a vast public audience within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and beyond. From events, traditional interpretation panels and guided walks to videos, collaborative exhibitions and wall murals, the project has shone a spotlight on both the wildlife the Solent and the people living alongside it. This work has helped to place the marine environment front and centre in the numerous communities and tourist destinations along our coastline. Protecting our precious marine habitats together Protecting our precious marine habitats together Recreational boaters who use, visit and enjoy Studland Bay are Recreational boaters who use, visit and enjoy Studland Bay are being asked to help protect its precious habitats for the future. being asked to help protect its precious habitats for the future. After extensive consultation with the boating community and users of After extensive consultation with the boating community and users of the bay, a voluntary no anchor zone was introduced in 2021 to help the bay, a voluntary no anchor zone was introduced in 2021 to help reduce damage caused by boats dropping and weighing anchors. reduce damage caused by boats dropping and weighing anchors. This became a larger area in June 2022. This became a larger area in June 2022. The Marine Management Organisation is encouraging everyone to The Marine Management Organisation is encouraging everyone to work together to protect Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone. work together to protect Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone. The site’s seagrass beds are home to a protected species of The site’s seagrass beds are home to a protected species of seahorse and other wildlife, as well as forming important nursery seahorse and other wildlife, as well as forming important nursery grounds for fish stocks. grounds for fish stocks. 29 solenthandbook.com