Experts have introduced an anchor-free zone in Dorset's Studland Bay to protect its population of seahorses.
Studland Bay is thought to be one of the UK's seahorse hotspots and is home to two species - the Spiny seahorse, Hippocampus guttulatus, and the Short-snouted seahorse, H. hippocampus.
The Bay has a seagrass meadow at its southern end which is an ideal habitat for seahorses, including pregnant specimens.
Unfortunately, its sheltered location also makes it a popular area for anchoring boats and these may have a detrimental effect upon the seagrass habitat the seahorses need.
However, according to the Dorset Wildlife Trust, it has introduced a no-anchoring zone for a trial period in the seagrass meadow in order to allow a proper study to be undertaken to assess the impact of anchoring.