Eco Mooring Buoy

A specially designed mooring system that allows vessels to anchor without damaging the seabed, particularly sensitive habitats like seagrass beds or coral reefs.

An eco mooring buoy is a type of environmentally friendly mooring system that minimises or eliminates contact with the seabed, thereby protecting fragile marine ecosystems. Unlike traditional moorings, which often use heavy chains that drag and scour the seabed with tidal movement, eco moorings typically incorporate a floating or elastic component that keeps the chain or line suspended above the bottom. These systems are especially important in areas with high ecological value, such as marine protected areas, where anchoring can cause long-term damage to habitats like seagrass meadows, which are crucial for biodiversity, carbon storage, and shoreline protection.

A notable example of eco mooring buoy implementation is at Studland Bay on the south coast of England, where a seagrass protection project led by The Seahorse Trust and supported by organisations like Boatfolk Marinas and The Crown Estate has seen the installation of eco-mooring buoys. These buoys help protect the seagrass beds that are vital habitats for rare and protected species, such as the spiny seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus).

Eco mooring buoys are often installed by marine conservation organisations or local authorities to promote sustainable boating practices. They provide a secure point for vessels to tie up while ensuring that the anchoring process does not disturb the marine environment. The design may include helical screw anchors or other low-impact seabed attachments, combined with elastic risers or floating lines that adjust to tidal changes without dragging. These systems are increasingly used in popular boating destinations to balance recreational use with environmental stewardship.