Dorset’s marine and coastal environments are the county’s chief environmental and economic assets and have been exploited by generations of Dorset inhabitants.

It is important to manage the ‘whole coast’ – the sea as well as the land.

Fisheries

Fishing has always been an important use of Dorset’s coastal zone. It is a mixed fishery, with crabs and lobsters the staple for many boats. Shellfisheries are important in sheltered harbours. Catch is mainly sold through local wholesalers, to meet the demand from local hotels and caterers and exported to continental markets.

The restriction on vessel size in Dorset’s inshore waters provides some control on over-fishing. It is generally thought that Dorset’s fisheries are sustainable. By-catch, particularly of cetaceans, and damage to the seabed are a concern.

Dorset fisheries are managed, with European legislation, by the Southern Sea Fisheries Committee (SSFC), by means of bylaws and licensing. Partnerships between marine conservationists and fishermen are being developed.

Tourism and Recreation

The coast is arguably Dorset’s most important single tourism asset. The main issues, relating to tourism and recreation and the marine environment are: water cleanliness, beach management and tourism-related litter and management of water-sports for safety and environmental purposes e.g. disturbance to birds. Zoning schemes for water-sports are being adopted e.g. the Poole Harbour Aquatic Management Plan.

Mineral Extraction

The oil and gas industry has been a feature of the Dorset Coast since the 1930s. There has been extensive activity to explore the area. The potential impacts of oil and gas on the marine environment are from accidental spills from tanker washings, bilge water from small boats and run-off from roads and during the transport of oil. Lyme Bay is proposed as one of two regulated ship-to-ship oil transfer areas in Britain, designated by the Maritime Coastguard Agency. There is growing awareness that underwater noise from seismic activity could have an impact on marine wildlife, in particular cetaceans.

Transport

Dorset’s ports are important economic assets to the county. Dorset has three cargo and passenger handling ports: Poole, Portland Port and Weymouth. There are also smaller harbours, which cater mainly for the recreation and fishing interests. In addition to their business interests, Dorset’s ports have wider statutory responsibilities as Harbour Authorities. Both Poole and Portland Harbours are designated as European Wildlife sites.

In addition to shipping entering Dorset’s ports – passenger and cargo ferries, cargo vessels and cruise ships – over 2000 ships pass Dorset’s coast every day. Potential impacts of ports and shipping on the marine environment include pollution issues – noise, oil, chemical and litter - and maintenance dredging.

Waste Disposal and Pollution

Pollutants enter the sea from the land, deliberately or accidentally. Sewage is an issue in relation to bathing water quality, shellfish waters and nutrient enrichment. Nutrient enrichment, from agricultural run-off from arable land, can result in eutrophication and algal blooms. Litter can be lethal to marine wildlife through entanglement and ingestion and is an unsightly health hazard on Dorset’s beaches.

Sarah Welton