UK’s largest seagrass restoration project launches in Cornwall
£1.8 million initiative aims to revitalise marine ecosystems
The Ocean Conservation Trust has unveiled the largest seagrass restoration project ever undertaken in the UK, set to transform Cornwall's marine landscape with a £1.8 million programme.
The ambitious initiative aims to restore 10 hectares of seagrass meadow in Falmouth Bay and revive native oyster populations in the Fal and Helford Special Areas of Conservation.
The Mor Nature project, a collaboration with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, employs expertise in seagrass and oyster recovery to support government targets and the Wild Again: Restoring England's Wildlife campaign.
The restoration site spans from Swanpool to Pendennis Castle in Falmouth Bay, building on protective measures established by the Ocean Conservation Trust in 2022, including voluntary no-anchor zones and Sensitive Habitat Marker Buoys.
Andy Cameron, Conservation Project Manager at the Ocean Conservation Trust, emphasized the project's holistic nature, aiming to rebuild an interconnected marine ecosystem that fosters diverse marine life and promotes coastal resilience.
"This project demonstrates what is possible when conservation organisations, local communities, government and industry work together to restore nature at scale," Cameron said.
Seagrass meadows are valuable habitats boosting biodiversity, improving water quality, storing carbon, and protecting coastlines from erosion, with native oysters enhancing marine life.
Dr Dan Barrios-O'Neill, Head of Marine Conservation at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, expressed optimism for restoring oyster populations and ecological functions, working alongside community groups and fishers.
The Mor Nature project contributes to broader environmental goals by engaging local communities through citizen science projects, snorkel safaris, and educational events, reconnecting people with their marine surroundings.
Automated restoration technologies will be trialled, integrating Project AMPERES and the Meadow Maker.
The project hopes to demonstrate large-scale ocean recovery methods.