The UK Seagrass Symposium 2025 took place in Cardiff last week, bringing together scientists, conservation professionals, practitioners, and community groups from across the UK.
Hosted by Project Seagrass, the event was the first in the UK Seagrass Symposium (UKSS) series to receive endorsement as an official Ocean Decade Activity as part of the United Nations Ocean Decade.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies delivered the opening address, and said:
“Restoring seagrass and saltmarsh habitats in Wales is crucial for tackling the climate and nature emergencies we face. I am incredibly proud of what Seagrass Network Cymru is achieving and the development of Wales’ own National Seagrass Action Plan.
“Project Seagrass’s community-focused approach will provide a blueprint for national implementation, supporting sustainable green jobs across Wales now and into the future.”
A UK Seagrass Symposium in Wales is fitting following the Welsh Government’s endorsement of the National Seagrass Action Plan for Wales earlier this year, the first commitment of its kind globally.
The event took place at Techniquest in Cardiff Bay and saw over 200 delegates come together to drive forward discussions and actions to protect and restore UK seagrass.
Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, CEO of Project Seagrass and inaugural Chair of Seagrass Network Cymru said: “I am delighted to have brought the second UK Seagrass Symposium to Wales. The event has been a tremendous success — it has strengthened the collaborations between scientists, practitioners and policymakers across the UK, and highlighted that the National Seagrass Action Plan for Wales is now providing a blueprint for other nations. Alongside an international alliance of seagrass practitioners, we are leading the way, moving from vision to action, restoring meadows, shaping policy and protecting our marine heritage.”
The collective action and collaboration fostered by the UK Seagrass Symposium is key to addressing the challenges that UK seagrass currently faces.
The Symposium was sponsored by Welsh Government, The Crown Estate, National Grid UK, ACT Sustainably, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, Blue Robotics, and Frontiers.
Thank you to our UK Seagrass Symposium Sponsors
The event was the first in the UK Seagrass Symposium (UKSS) series to receive endorsement as an official Ocean Decade Activity as part of the United Nations Ocean Decade.
