This summer, the Sjogras Partnership returned to Orkney to undertake a range of surveys to further develop our understanding of the health and extent of Orkney’s important seagrass meadows. Between the 19th July and 1st August, Professor Joanne Porter from Heriot Watt University and Dr Elizabeth Lacey from Project Seagrass
In a guest blog post, Laura Suggitt shares her experiences of swimming the Channel to raise vital funds for environment funds including Project Seagrass: Earlier this month, I swam across the English Channel to France with my team, The Matriarsea. We completed the crossing in 12 hours and 49 minutes;
This summer, teams came together in Makassar, Indonesia, for the Seagrass Knowledge for Action in Southeast Asia workshop to explore pathways forward for strengthening knowledge, building research capacity, and development to further safeguard local seagrass social-ecological systems. Co-hosted by Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) and Project Seagrass, the workshop involved teams from
In a new blog series, our Conservation Trainee Abi David explores some of the amazing creatures that call seagrass meadows their home. The Brent Goose Branta bernicla is of a similar size to a Mallard duck, making it one of the smallest goose species in the world. They are a
Our oceans and coasts are home to ecosystems that provide immense benefits to people, from food and livelihoods to carbon storage and coastal protection. In particular, seagrass meadows are archetypal social-ecological systems (SES), linking human well-being to ecosystem health. But to manage these systems effectively, we need access to both ecological
Beneath the surface of the Chesapeake Bay, a subtle but dramatic shift is taking place as eelgrass gives way to its warmer-water relative, widgeon grass. A new study from researchers at William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS shows that this seagrass swap could have ecological impacts across the Bay’s
Seagrasses, foundational species in coastal ecosystems worldwide, are surprisingly few in documented diversity—with only about 70 species identified globally, despite their widespread distribution and ecological importance. Complicating matters, their high phenotypic plasticity within species makes precise classification challenging. Against this backdrop, a research team led by Prof. Zhou Yi from
The Project Seagrass team have had another busy summer of seagrass seed collections! This year collections took place in Yarmouth, Ryde, and Bembridge on the Isle of Wight in the Solent, and in Porthdinllaen in North Wales. Find out more about how this summer’s collections went: Solent Seed Collection |
Last month marked the opening of a newly constructed laboratory facility at Project Seagrass’ headquarters in Bridgend, South Wales. Project Seagrass CEO Leanne Cullen-Unsworth said: “We’re delighted to be able to launch this fantastic new facility within our existing working space in Bridgend. Thanks to generous support from funders who
Earlier this year, Project Seagrass welcomed Rhys Bowen to the team to support our work in North Wales as part of the Seagrass Ocean Rescue North Wales programme. This follows on from Rhys’ involvement in the programme during 2024 where we worked as one of the Marine Futures Interns at
This summer, the Sjogras Partnership returned to Orkney to undertake a range of surveys to further develop our understanding of the health and extent of Orkney’s important seagrass meadows. Between the 19th July and 1st August, Professor Joanne Porter from Heriot Watt University and Dr Elizabeth Lacey from Project Seagrass led their respective teams as part of the annual survey work. In a first for the partnership, this year saw the establishment of ‘sentinel’ sites around the Orkney archipelago. A sentinel site in the context of monitoring ecological characteristics is a specific location or set of locations chosen to provide long-term, consistent, and representative data about environmental conditions and changes. Sites in Finstown, Tankerness, and Westray were chosen to represent the characteristics of seagrass habitats across the islands. Ongoing monitoring at these sites will enable the partnership to improve our understanding of the dynamics and drivers of seagrass health in Orkney and could help us understand how and why seagrass is changing across Scotland. Dr Elizabeth Lacey, Senior Science Officer and Scotland Team Lead at Project Seagrass said: “The sentinel sites will help build long-term records of seagrass health, map changes over time, and involve more people in safeguarding this important ecosystem. Collaborative partnerships like this are essential – we each bring unique skills and experiences to the team, which helps us all achieve our shared goal of advancing seagrass conservation.” Quadrat-based meadow health surveys were undertaken at each site, encompassing a range of measures such as percentage cover of seagrass, the complexities of the seagrass canopy, the number of reproductive shoots present, and epiphyte cover. These were complemented by a number of methods to map the extent of each seagrass meadow. In the water, the team utilised a remotely controlled boat to capture echosounder data; in the air Dr Calum Hoad undertook drone surveys to capture thousands of images of the seagrass meadows. Regular mapping of the sentinel site seagrass meadows will allow the size and extent of the meadow to be tracked, noting any increases or decreases in cover; which, when coupled with the health parameters during the sentinel sites monitoring, can be used to determine the impacts of disturbances like climate change and coastal development. Within these sentinel sites, Heriot Watt University PhD candidate Millie Brown undertook work investigating carbon sequestration as part of her SMMR funded scholarship research and MSc project student Alisha Underwood collected samples to research the properties of the sediment associated with seagrass at Finstown and Tankerness. Professor Joanne Porter of Heriot Watt University said: “This summer in Project Sjogras the team from Heriot Watt Orkney campus worked in collaboration with Dr Elizabeth Lacey and the Project Seagrass team to gather information on the species biodiversity associated with seagrass sediments and seagrass leaves, and carbon sequestration. This new data supports the development of an evidence base for quantifying the Ecosystem Services provided by Orcadian seagrass meadow sentinel sites” The partnership were pleased to have the opportunity to share their work at the Orkney Research and Innovation Centre, for their Renewables Revolution Open Day. Professor Joanne Porter represented the Sjogras partnership as part of a stand sharing information about the seagrass. In September 2025 Professor Porter presented some of the findings at the Orkney International Science Festival, on behalf of the Project Sjogras team. The Sjogras project is made possible with the support of Highland Park.
In a guest blog post, Laura Suggitt shares her experiences of swimming the Channel to raise vital funds for environment funds including Project Seagrass: Earlier this month, I swam across the English Channel to France with my team, The Matriarsea. We completed the crossing in 12 hours and 49 minutes; swimming 35 miles in total as a result of the tough tides. It has long been a dream for me to cross the Channel and reaching France in the sparkling sunshine with the strong women in my team around me was magical. I was swimming in memory of my brother Henry and we raised over £6,000 for three charities: Project Seagrass, Planet Patrol, and Surfers Against Sewage. I am so proud of the team, and it is such a privilege to be their captain. Yet, behind the sparkling sunshine and smiles, its easy to forget that our journey to get there was far from smooth… We were originally scheduled to swim in June – but the winds were too high throughout our tide window and it wasn’t safe. We responded by designing our own challenge and swimming double the distance in Dover Harbour; through sewage, high wind and freezing water. It was brilliant and I am still particularly proud of how we turned our initial disappointment into something amazing. But there was a part of me that didn’t want to give up on the original dream. I knew, if the weather was right, we could do something really special. So, when a cancellation came up for August, I took the chance. But the weather still wasn’t playing ball. Then, with 24 hours notice, our pilot rang me up and gave me a choice, to try outside of the main tide window and do our best to make the crossing. He warned me the tides were aggressive, and there would be huge swell, but if we swum hard we might be able to make it. It would be our very last chance. We decided to take the risk. So against all the odds, we left Dover Harbour at 2am on Monday morning. The first 5 hours were gruelling. Seriously nauseating conditions on the boat, and 4ft swell in the water, swimming in the middle of the Channel in the pitch black. I’ll be honest, we were all terrified, but we dug deep. Then came the really aggressive switch of tide at sunrise. I had to swim the hardest I ever have to salvage our crossing or we’d be pushed into a freight lane. That’s not to mention jellyfish the size of dinner plates, the huge swell, no sleep, the stench of diesel, sewage slicks, and buckets of seawater swallowed. And it took sweat and tears to even start. A year of planning, rallying after opportunities didn’t materialise, early morning swims around work, sessions that pushed us to our edge, adapting to freezing water, and the mental gymnastics (and maybe insanity) it takes to jump into the Channel at night and swim your guts out. There were many reasons we shouldn’t have made it, but we did. We were extremely lucky to have amazing supporters, and most of all each other, to lift us when things got tough. This was one hell of a lesson in what it takes to never give up and I hope something in our story resonates. I am so proud of these women, and I’m so proud to be a woman. We really can do anything. Project Seagrass is most grateful to The Matriarsea team for raising funds to support our work to save the world’s seagrass. Project Seagrass is extremely grateful to The Suggitt Family for their generous support for the Henry Suggitt Laboratory (named after Laura’s brother). Find out more about the lab here.
This summer, teams came together in Makassar, Indonesia, for the Seagrass Knowledge for Action in Southeast Asia workshop to explore pathways forward for strengthening knowledge, building research capacity, and development to further safeguard local seagrass social-ecological systems. Co-hosted by Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) and Project Seagrass, the workshop involved teams from across Indonesia and the Philippines including Forkani, Yapeka, and C3 (Philippines) who joined forces to discuss highlights, setbacks and future dreams for seagrass conservation, protection and restoration in their local contexts and more broadly within the region. The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss our plans for future collaborative work in Southeast Asia, building upon work undertaken through the Seagrass Ecosystem Services project. Partners discussed pervasive threats to seagrass within each of their local study regions and explored the numerous commonalities between their organisation’s locations. In addition to threats, the limitations that prevent partners from addressing these threats and undertaking social-ecological research were identified. A diverse and numerous array of research and capacity building barriers were discussed which were associated with governance, social, ecological, socio-cultural, cultural, spiritual, logistical, and funding limitations. Though nuanced, and taking different forms for each organisation, the identification of these barriers provides essential context for helping to develop research and build local capacity in partner organisations. Each partner discussed their research priorities which concerned many dimensions of seagrass social-ecological systems and the just protection and conservation of seagrass meadows for food security, poverty alleviation, cultural importance, and local livelihood support. Through these conversations, partners explored the spaces within these research priorities that require conservation actions, what these actions may well be, and what support may be required to bring these priorities to reality. Following these in-depth discussions partners also worked on shaping a paper focusing on persistent threats and urgent calls to action to reduce these threats. From 2026, Project Seagrass’ international strategy will also include grant giving, which has been co-conceptualised and developed with local NGO’s, and has been evidenced by others.
In a new blog series, our Conservation Trainee Abi David explores some of the amazing creatures that call seagrass meadows their home. The Brent Goose Branta bernicla is of a similar size to a Mallard duck, making it one of the smallest goose species in the world. They are a highly social species and form strong bonds within the groups they live in. If you spot a group of Brent Geese, look out for the ‘compass’ goose – this is the leader of the group and will lead the way between foraging areas. Depending on the species of Brent Goose, individuals may have a dark or light belly, along with a dark head and body, with adults having a small white patch on their necks. They can be seen throughout the UK during the autumn/ winter months in marine, intertidal or wetland areas. Dark bellied Brent Geese. Photo Credit Emma Butterworth Migration Just like many other bird species, Brent Geese carry out an annual migration. They spend summer months breeding and raising chicks in the Arctic and migrate to Western Europe for more temperate winters. Generally, the individuals we get overwintering here in the UK are from Siberia. Due to these long migration routes and small body size, Brent Geese have a high food demand meaning they heavily rely on stopovers to refuel. Their most popular stopover sites tend to be Zostera marina meadows. Large numbers of Brent Geese have been spotted for several weeks each year in Izembek Lagoon (Alaska), lagoons in Baja California, the German/Danish Wadden Sea, the Golfe du Morbihan (France), British estuaries, and the White Sea (Western Russian Arctic). Diet Brent Geese are heavily herbivorous and mainly consume seagrass. They have relatively short necks and lack the ability to dive so can only reach plants at low tide or in shallow water. Interestingly, during breeding season the geese will consume a wide range of plant species but show a strong preference for Zostera species throughout non-breeding seasons due to the high digestibility and nutritional value compared to other options. They have been observed eating both the leaves and rhizomes of the plants. Importance of seagrass for Brent Goose populations As mentioned previously, Brent Geese rely heavily on seagrass during their migrations. This can be seen in population trends. In the 1930s, Zostera species across the North American coast were heavily affected by wasting disease and there was a significant population decline. At the same time, a steep decline in Brent Goose population was also observed on both sides of the Atlantic, with estimates ranging from 75 – 90% of populations lost. During the 1950s, there was a good recovery of seagrass beds in the areas previously affected, which was followed by a recovery of Brent Goose populations from around 15,000 to over 100,000. Similar smaller scale events like this have been observed, showing just how important healthy seagrass meadows are for species like the Brent Goose that rely so heavily on them. Are Brent Geese bad for seagrass restoration? It could be argued that Brent Geese are bad for seagrass and bad for seagrass restoration due to their consumption of the plants. However, there is a bit more to it than that. Seagrass provides services for many species, and a food source is one of those. Anecdotally, there have been instances where restoration has occurred only for geese to come along and eat all of the freshly planted shoots, which really isn’t ideal. In the scientific literature, there is mixed evidence about how much the geese will consume and how this affects the meadow’s health, which makes it difficult to quantify their impact. Some research notes that the percent the geese eat out of the whole meadow is actually quite small and a healthy meadow should have no issue recovering from any damage. The geese could even be useful in seagrass restoration. They tend to only be seen where food is available and as such are an indicator species for the health of an ecosystem. Like all birds, they are useful for their ability to spread nutrients and seeds through their faeces, helping to spread plant species more widely than they would on their own. Additionally, they are an important food source for predators such as foxes and raptors in their Arctic breeding grounds. Brent Geese, like any other species using seagrass, are carrying out behaviours that have evolved over thousands of years. Therefore, the question of whether geese are bad for seagrass restoration is not a straightforward one. What do you think? Sources: Ganter, B. (2000). Seagrass ( Zostera spp.) as food for brent geese ( Branta bernicla ): an overview. Helgoland Marine Research, 54(2–3), 63–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s101520050003 Find out more the role that seagrass plays for migratory birds here.
Our oceans and coasts are home to ecosystems that provide immense benefits to people, from food and livelihoods to carbon storage and coastal protection. In particular, seagrass meadows are archetypal social-ecological systems (SES), linking human well-being to ecosystem health. But to manage these systems effectively, we need access to both ecological data (such as habitat extent, biodiversity, or water quality) and social data (such as fishing activity, governance, or community use). In a new paper led by Uppsala University, Project Seagrass Chief Conservation Officer Dr. Benjamin Jones, joined forces with scientists from Sweden and the USA to explore how researchers and managers can better use open-access data to integrate these perspectives and improve decision-making. Why this data matters Over the past decade, the amount of freely available ecological and social data has exploded. From satellite-derived habitat maps to global fisheries datasets, there is now a wealth of information that could support more holistic approaches to conservation and management. Such data includes the likes of our very own SeagrassSpotter dataset. Yet, this opportunity comes with challenges. For many practitioners, the biggest barrier is knowing where to find relevant datasets and how to make sense of them in a way that reflects both the ecological and social dimensions of coastal systems. Without broad interdisciplinary training, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume and complexity of open data sources. To address this challenge, we developed a workflow based on a social-ecological systems framework to help researchers systematically identify the types of variables they need (e.g., ecological, social, or governance-related) and guides the search for appropriate open datasets. The workflow was demonstrated using seagrass meadows in the Tropical Indo-Pacific, a region where millions of people depend directly on coastal ecosystems. This provides a strong test case for exploring how open data can inform both research and management and highlights just how much open-access information is already available, from global biodiversity repositories to socioeconomic databases, and how it can be assembled into a more complete picture of system dynamics. The study underscores the huge potential of open data to support inclusive and interdisciplinary approaches in coastal science. It allows researchers to explore ecological and social indicators side by side, ask new, cross-cutting research questions, support management decisions even in data-poor regions and facilitate collaboration across disciplines and geographies. However, there are important challenges. First, data can be patchy or biased, with strong coverage of biophysical variables but limited social or long-term monitoring data. Second, many datasets are coarsely aggregated or inconsistent in spatial and temporal coverage. Third, users often require specialised technical skills to access, harmonise, and analyse the data and finally, the “paradox of choice” means the sheer volume of available datasets can be overwhelming without a clear framework to guide selection. These limitations highlight the need for continued investment in training, better tools, and improved data-sharing practices. The paper also emphasises the importance of contributing data back into open repositories such as the Ocean Biodiversity Information System. By sharing primary data openly, researchers and practitioners not only enhance the value of their own work but also support a stronger, more connected global community. Project Seagrass is committed to this via its open access SeagrassSpotter database, and the newly launched SeagrassRestorer. This cultural shift towards open data sharing, proper attribution of data collectors, and incentivising contributions is essential if we are to unlock the full potential of open data in advancing coastal science and conservation. Frameworks like this provide a structured way of navigating the open-data landscape. By combining social and ecological variables, researchers and managers can move beyond siloed approaches to develop a truly integrated understanding of coastal systems. For seagrass meadows and other critical coastal habitats, this means being better equipped to anticipate change, design effective interventions, and ensure the long-term provision of ecosystem services that millions of people depend upon. In short: open data, when harnessed effectively, is a powerful tool for bridging science and society and for building more sustainable futures for our coasts.
Beneath the surface of the Chesapeake Bay, a subtle but dramatic shift is taking place as eelgrass gives way to its warmer-water relative, widgeon grass. A new study from researchers at William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS shows that this seagrass swap could have ecological impacts across the Bay’s food webs, fisheries and ecosystem functions. Published in Marine Ecology Progress Series, the study reveals that while both seagrass species offer valuable habitat, they support marine life in very different ways. The researchers estimate that the continued shift from eelgrass to widgeon grass could lead to a 63% reduction in the total quantity of invertebrate biomass living in seagrass meadows in the bay by 2060. “Several factors including water quality, rising temperatures and human development are threatening eelgrass in the Chesapeake Bay. In its place, particularly in the middle Bay, widgeon grass has expanded due to its ability to tolerate warmer, more variable conditions,” said Associate Professor Chris Patrick, who is also director of the Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Monitoring & Restoration Program at the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS. “However, the two grasses provide structurally distinct habitats that shape the animals living within.” All grasses are not created equal While working with Patrick and earning her master’s degree at the Batten School & VIMS, lead author Lauren Alvaro engaged in extensive fieldwork studying seagrass meadows in Mobjack Bay. Her team surveyed and compared habitats consisting of eelgrass, widgeon grass as well as mixed beds. They documented everything from burrowing clams and snails to crabs and fishes to get an idea of life living within the sediment and among the grasses. The findings showed that while widgeon grass supports more individual invertebrates per gram of plant material, eelgrass meadows are home to larger animals and have more plant biomass per square meter. As a result, eelgrass supports a greater total animal biomass per square meter. “Our findings suggest that we’re likely to see a fundamental shift in the structure of the food web that favors smaller creatures as eelgrass is replaced by widgeon grass,” said Alvaro. “The eelgrass meadows produced fewer animals, but they’re bigger and more valuable to predators like fish and blue crabs.” Much of the difference is due to the physical characteristics of the two types of seagrasses. Widgeon grass beds have a greater surface-to-biomass ratio due to their narrower leaf structure, which provides more area for small invertebrates to cling to. However, eelgrass’s broader leaves provide a type of canopy favored by animals like pipefish, blue crabs, and larger isopods, which are small shrimp-like crustaceans. The bigger picture The researchers extrapolated their findings and estimated that current seagrass habitats in the Chesapeake Bay support approximately 66,139 tons of invertebrate biomass living in the sediment and among the grass beds and produce 35,274 tons of new animal biomass each growing season. Termed “secondary production,” this is the biomass the habitat makes available to higher levels of the food chain. If seagrasses continue to shift as expected, by 2060 secondary production could be reduced by more than 60% under a scenario where no further nutrient reductions occur. Nutrient runoff into the Bay is the largest threat to submerged aquatic vegetation. Even in a best-case nutrient management scenario, the Bay could still lose approximately 15% of secondary production biomass. “Within the limits of our study, it wasn’t possible to determine whether it was the meadow’s physical structure, the meadow area, or available food sources that contributed to greater numbers of fish in the eelgrass meadows,” said Alvaro. “This makes it difficult to accurately estimate fishery-level impacts of changes in meadow composition, but several lines of reasoning support an expectation of reduction in numerous commercial and recreational species.” The study adds to a growing body of research documenting the effects of changes in foundational species influenced by a warming planet. The authors cite similar research involving Florida’s mangroves and a worldwide shift from coral to algae-dominated ecosystems. As states within the Bay’s extensive watershed work to maintain and improve the health of the estuary, the team hopes their findings will help inform management decisions and restoration strategies. Protecting and restoring the remaining eelgrass and better understanding the role of widgeon grass may help preserve ecological resources for future generations and provide a buffer against future shocks. More information: This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Lauren Elizabeth Alvaro et al, Changing foundation species in Chesapeake Bay: implications for faunal communities of two dominant seagrass species, Marine Ecology Progress Series (2025). DOI: 10.3354/meps14901
Seagrasses, foundational species in coastal ecosystems worldwide, are surprisingly few in documented diversity—with only about 70 species identified globally, despite their widespread distribution and ecological importance. Complicating matters, their high phenotypic plasticity within species makes precise classification challenging. Against this backdrop, a research team led by Prof. Zhou Yi from the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), in collaboration with researchers from Germany’s GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel and other institutions, has discovered cryptic speciation within Nanozostera japonica—a seagrass species common across the Northwest Pacific. The findings were published in New Phytologist. Co-existence of diploidy and triploidy within a population of Nanozostera japonica. Credit New Phytologist, 2025 Nanozostera japonica is rare among seagrasses as it’s able to thrive in both temperate and tropical-subtropical coastal zones. Native to the Northwest Pacific, it spread to North America’s Pacific coast in the early 20th century via oyster shipments. Its phenotypes vary sharply across geographic regions, and prior research using microsatellite markers revealed striking genetic differences between northern and southern populations—hinting that what is currently classified as Nanozostera japonica might include multiple species. To test this hypothesis, the team assembled high-quality, chromosome-level reference genomes from Nanozostera japonica samples collected in northern and southern China. They then conducted whole-genome resequencing of 17 populations spanning the Western Pacific. Genomic analyses showed the northern and southern clades diverged approximately 4.16 million years ago (Ma). Notably, the southern clade is more closely related to its European sister species Nanozostera noltii, with a more recent split at about 2.67 Ma. “The genetic divergence between these two clades exceeds typical intraspecific differences,” noted Dr. Zhang Xiaomei. The study also identified hybrids between the clades in their contact zone, all of which are first-generation diploids or triploids—with no evidence of higher-order hybrids. This pattern strongly indicates reproductive isolation, a key marker of distinct species. Further comparative genomic work revealed a massive ~42 megabase (Mb) chromosomal inversion with fixed differences between the clades, likely contributing to their reproductive separation. “This work shows that what we currently recognize as Nanozostera japonica actually comprises two distinct species,” said Prof. Zhou. “It provides critical insights for future seagrass classification and conservation strategies.” This marks the first time cryptic seagrass species have been identified using comprehensive population genomics. The study suggests seagrass diversity may be significantly underestimated, underscoring the need for more extensive population genomic research on these ecologically vital organisms. More information: This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Xiaomei Zhang et al, Uncovering the Nanozostera japonica species complex suggests cryptic speciation and underestimated seagrass diversity, New Phytologist (2025). DOI: 10.1111/nph.70355
The Project Seagrass team have had another busy summer of seagrass seed collections! This year collections took place in Yarmouth, Ryde, and Bembridge on the Isle of Wight in the Solent, and in Porthdinllaen in North Wales. Find out more about how this summer’s collections went: Solent Seed Collection | 11th–17th July 2025 Day 1 The team arrived safely on the Isle of Wight on the 11th July to lovely sunny weather! We installed our keep net at Cowes Harbour – this is where the seagrass seeds are stored following daily seed collections ahead of being transported to Project Seagrass HQ at the end of the week where they are processed. Day 2 The Dive team headed out to Ryde Bay. After completing man over-board drills the divers entered the water to begin collecting seeds. The team managed 90 minutes underwater before the tide turned into too difficult conditions for the divers. The Intertidal team delivered the first Community Seed Collection event of the week. Today’s collection was at Yarmouth where we were joined by 5 volunteers. Hannah and Emma carried out a meadow health survey. Senior Science Officer and Solent Lead Anouska Mendzil collecting seagrass seeds in Yarmouth Volunteer snorkelers gathered on the beach at Yarmouth for a seed collection briefing Day 3 A hot but successful dive trip in Ryde Bay for the Dive Team! Today we had two pairs of divers in the water. The first pair completed a seagrass meadow assessment and then joined the second pair who were solely focused on seed collection. The team and the boat were working really well together, however unfortunately the weather was not in the team’s favour leading to a switch to shore diving for the rest of the week. The Intertidal Team delivered the second Community Seed Collection event of the week. Today’s event took place in Ryde. The team were joined by 8 volunteers including some repeat attendees from yesterday’s event. We were joined by photographer Francesca Page and colleagues from the University of Groningen/The Seagrass Consortium. Alongside the seed collection, Hannah and Ele carried out a survey of the meadow. Day 4 The Dive Team were joined by two new volunteer divers today, Ellie and Carly. Due to the weather conditions, the team were unable to go boat diving and instead went shore diving at Yarmouth Bay. Lots of seeds were collected making it another very successful day. The Intertidal Team were back at Ryde this morning for the third Community Seed Collection event of the week. Today we were joined by repeat volunteers photographer Francesca Page and colleagues from the University of Groningen/The Seagrass Consortium. Following the seed collection, members of the team met with our partners at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Diver entering the water for seed collection Dive team aboard Gwen, preparing for seed collection Day 5 Today the Dive Team surveyed the seagrass meadow at Yarmouth and completed another seed collection. It was another blow out for the boat but a good opportunity to run through the shore diving protocol! The Intertidal Team were back at Yarmouth for a morning seed collection. Today the team were joined by members of The Seagrass Consortium. In the afternoon The Seagrass Consortium met to discuss collaboration and alignment. Days 6 & 7 The Dive team recovered Gwen before heading to Bembridge to determine if this could be another suitable site for shore diving. It ultimately wasn’t but a useful exercise! The Intertidal team delivered their final snorkel seed collection of the week. This collection took place at Bembridge and we were again joined by members of The Seagrass Consortium from the University of Groningen, Sea Rangers, and Office Français de la Biodiversité. The remainder of the day was spent preparing for our travel day back to Project Seagrass HQ. On the morning of our departure we collected the seagrass seeds from the keep net before heading back to South Wales where the seeds are now being processed. Members of the Project Seagrass team at Bembridge with members of The Seagrass Consortium Solent seagrass seeds retrieved from the keepnet and ready to travel back to Project Seagrass HQ North Wales Seed Collection | 26th July – 4th August Day 1 The team arrived safely in North Wales and headed straight to the beach at Porthdinllaen to set up Cabin Griff. We supported an initial seed collection event, providing shore cover for volunteers from our Seagrass Ocean Rescue partner WWF. Day 2 On Day 2 the Dive team launched Gwen and carried out meadow surveys. The Intertidal team had our first Community Seed Collection event. We were joined by partners from Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation and Ocean Wildlife Artist Oli Leger who brought his new artwork ‘Ambassador’ which he introduced to attendees. Project Seagrass vessel Gwen being prepared for deployment Ocean Wildlife Artist Oli Leger introducing his artwork Ambassador to people on the beach Day 3 Today the Dive Team installed the keep net and HOBO logger and carried out their first seed collection. Our Ambassador Jake joined the Dive team – today the divers collected 13kg of seeds! The Intertidal Team delivered another successful Community Seed Collection event. In the afternoon several members of the team attended a celebration event hosted by North Wales Wildlife Trust and Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau Special Conservation Area. Storyteller and National Seagrass Action Plan project Manager Carl delivered a fantastic storytelling session. Day 4 Another successful day for the Dive team! 29kg of seagrass seeds collected today!!! Today the Intertidal team were joined by volunteers from WWF and our Seagrass Ocean Rescue programme funders the National Lottery Community Fund. After the volunteer session we were joined by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies who joined us on the beach to collect seeds and learn more about the programme. Volunteers collecting seagrass seeds in Porthdinllaen North Wales WWF staff members collecting seeds in Porthdinllaen Days 5-10 The Boat team continued to carry out daily
Last month marked the opening of a newly constructed laboratory facility at Project Seagrass’ headquarters in Bridgend, South Wales. Project Seagrass CEO Leanne Cullen-Unsworth said: “We’re delighted to be able to launch this fantastic new facility within our existing working space in Bridgend. Thanks to generous support from funders who share our core values, volunteers who supported the build, and a committed and passionate core team, we now have a functional in-house lab space that will contribute to advancing the science needed for scaled environmental recovery.” The creation of the facility was made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters Greenwood Place, the Hartwood Trust, and the Suggitt family who attended the official opening event hosted by the Project Seagrass team on 2nd July. Laura Suggitt said, “Seeing the Henry Suggitt Laboratory opened after years of dedicated hard work, fundraising, and commitment from the amazing team at Project Seagrass was a dream come true. It is a space that I can imagine my brother would have loved – which makes it all the more special. I know great things are going to happen here – the future of seagrass conservation and research is in safe hands!” The multi-functional workspace will enable a range of small-scale experiments to be carried out on site, alongside species identification, seed processing, sample preparation and storage, and maintenance tasks. The Lab will play an important role in Project Seagrass’ ongoing research work which underpins the organisation’s approach to seagrass restoration and conservation efforts across the UK and internationally. It will also complement the existing facilities at Project Seagrass HQ including the organisation’s large-scale seed processing systems. The space will add further educational value to Project Seagrass’ work with university students from across the UK who will be able to utilise the space as part of project work during their year in industry with the organisation. More details on year in industry placements can be found here. Project Seagrass is extremely grateful for the generosity and shared vision of our funders which has made the construction of the Lab possible. We would also like to thank Rob & Sam Petts (RP Property Maintenance) who volunteered their time to support the build.
Earlier this year, Project Seagrass welcomed Rhys Bowen to the team to support our work in North Wales as part of the Seagrass Ocean Rescue North Wales programme. This follows on from Rhys’ involvement in the programme during 2024 where we worked as one of the Marine Futures Interns at our Seagrass Ocean Rescue partner, the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Rhys splits his time between Project Seagrass and North Wales Wildlife Trust. In this blog article Rhys reflects on recent seagrass monitoring he has been involved with in North Wales: Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of monitoring several key seagrass meadows and restoration sites across North Wales. These meadows, both old and new, play a vital role in our national marine conservation efforts. Seagrass Watch at Porthdinllaen, Llyn Peninsula In May, with the help of Dylan and Reece from North Wales Wildlife Trust, I conducted monitoring at our longstanding seed donor site in Porthdinllaen. We used the internationally recognised Seagrass Watch protocol which has been implemented at this meadow since 2015 and follows a rigorous, standardised approach. Using 50 cm² quadrats along three fixed transects, I collected data every 5 meters on: Seagrass cover. Epiphyte and algal presence. Average leaf lengths. This consistent monitoring at the same locations allows us to track changes in seagrass health over time and helps inform both conservation and restoration strategies. Seagrass meadow at Porthdinllaen. Photo Credit Rhys Bowen Project Seagrass Seagrass Watch monitoring at Porthdinllaen. Photo Credit Rhys Bowen Project Seagrass Restoration Efforts on Ynys Môn (Anglesey) As the Seagrass Ocean Rescue programme entered its fourth year, we continue to strive towards our goal to plant Zostera marina over an area of ten hectares across North Wales between 2022 and 2026. This year, at Penrhos and Penrhyn on Anglesey, we planted nearly 1 million seagrass seeds using two methods: The DIS (Dispenser Injection Seeding) technique. A manually powered seeding machine, developed by The Fieldwork Company designed to efficiently distribute mud-seed mixtures over large areas. Both methods have proved effective and the machine quickly won fans among our volunteers! Of which, none of this would be possible without the incredible support from our community groups, dedicated local volunteers, and the amazing Ocean Rescue Champions at the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Massive thanks to everyone who braved the weather and mud with us! As someone who is new to restoration, it was eye-opening to be a part of this ongoing work and witness the precision and care that goes into giving these tiny seeds the best chance of developing into healthy adult plants and meadows. First Signs of Growth In late June over the spring tides, I returned to Holyhead Bay with volunteers to assess the seagrass we had planted out in spring. We used 1m² quadrats to count seagrass shoots and measure leaf length and epiphyte coverage withing our planting plots. Following this period of monitoring I’m thrilled to report: Seagrass is growing across nearly all our planted plots. Shoots from both planting methods (DIS and Seeding machine) have emerged. Some leaves have already reached lengths of 12 cm and appear healthy. Monitoring will continue throughout the year alongside collection of environmental data. This will continue to inform and support our restoration work. The Seagrass Ocean Rescue team would like to thank the partners and volunteers for their continued support. Keep an eye out for more opportunities to get involved by signing up to our newsletter! Seagrass Watch Monitoring in Porthdinllaen
