This report shares findings from part of the LIFE-funded Recreation ReMEDIES project*, which focused on understanding the behaviours of recreational boaters in selected sites on the south coast of England. This evidence is intended to inform our approaches to working with local communities, including recreational boaters, to restore the sensitive seabed habitats at these sites and reduce recreational impacts on them. Collingwood Environmental Planning Ltd were contracted to deliver this research as part of the LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES Behaviour Change Project on behalf of Natural England and authored the report.
The report comprises a review of existing evidence relating to the impacts of anchoring and mooring on seagrass and the effectiveness of existing mitigation measures; and the results of primary research with recreational boating communities at two sites, Plymouth Sound Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Solent Maritime SAC, to better understand the behavioural context for any interventions developed and tested by the wider ReMEDIES project. The contractors used the COM-B behaviour change model and associated Behaviour Change Wheel (developed by Michie and others, 2011) in addition to the Theory of Planned Behaviour (developed by Azjen, 1991) to understand behaviours and reflect on implications for interventions. The focus on the behaviours of recreational boaters taken in this project reflects the relative lack of research in this area; we acknowledge that there are also many other threats to seagrass habitats.
- LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES (LIFE18 NAT/UK/000039) is financially supported by LIFE, a financial instrument of the European Commission. To find out more, visit https://saveourseabed.co.uk/