Ambitious £1.8 million ocean recovery project begins in Cornwall
Three-year plan aims for large-scale restoration of seagrass and oysters
An ambitious seagrass and oyster restoration project has commenced in Cornwall as part of a £1.8 million marine recovery programme.
The initiative seeks to rejuvenate 10 hectares of seagrass meadow in Falmouth Bay and restore native oyster populations in the Fal and Helford Special Areas of Conservation.
Leading the three-year programme is a partnership between the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT) and Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT).
Their efforts are supported by £1.4 million from Defra's Species Recovery Programme, as well as other funding partners.
The Mor Nature project supports the government's Wild Again campaign to restore England's wildlife and contributes towards 2043 targets for increased seagrass coverage.
This restoration effort spans an area between Swanpool and Pendennis Castle in Falmouth Bay, integrating previous protective measures like Sensitive Habitat Marker Buoys and voluntary no-anchor zones.
By fortifying seagrass meadows, the initiative aims to improve biodiversity, water quality, and coastal resilience, which are crucial benefits for neighbouring communities.
The OCT has cultivated over 21,000 seagrass seedlings, ready for transplantation.
They will be deploying innovative restoration technology, supported by specialist divers, to ensure effective planting at the restoration site.
Andy Cameron from the Ocean Conservation Trust said: "Mor Nature represents a major milestone for marine restoration in the UK. We're helping to rebuild an interconnected marine ecosystem that strengthens coastal resilience and delivers benefits for local communities.”
Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Dr Dan Barrios-O'Neill emphasised the significance of restoring oyster populations for both ecological function and historical heritage.
"Cornwall Wildlife Trust is leading the native oyster restoration," Dr Barrios-O'Neill said.
By nurturing seagrass and oyster habitats simultaneously, the project aims to foster thriving ecosystems that provide habitats for a variety of marine species like seahorses and bass.
In addition to restoring marine habitats, the programme encourages community involvement through citizen science projects and educational activities.
The Mor Nature initiative also acts as a testing ground for marine restoration methods, trialling automated planting technologies.
This collaborative effort demonstrates the potential for scalable marine restoration solutions amid global biodiversity and climate challenges.