Marine Life & Conservation
SAVE OUR SEAGRASS: The small but mighty plant which needs protecting
The Marine Conservation Society is seeking the public’s support to safeguard seagrass and fight ocean warming
Beneath our shores, there were once vast marine meadows, home to a diverse array of marine life and a hidden power. These meadows of seagrass can absorb 10% of the carbon buried in ocean sediment every year, making it a brilliant weapon in the fight to halt the warming of the planet. However, at least 35% of seagrasses worldwide have been lost or damaged over the last 40 years. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is on a mission to ‘Save Our Seagrass’.
The impact of our changing climate is already becoming clear to see in the natural world: floods, storms, bushfires, soaring temperatures and melting ice sheets. Yet seagrass, a small, flowering plant living in the UK’s shallow waters, could be our secret weapon. It has been estimated that seagrass can absorb and store at least as much carbon per hectare as trees in UK woodlands. Not only can seagrass absorb carbon and help battle the climate crisis, but it is also a biodiversity hotspot. The UK’s seagrass meadows are home to the two species of seahorse which live in UK waters: the spiny seahorse and the short snouted seahorse. The meadows are also breeding grounds for cuttlefish and sharks, and nurseries for cod, plaice and pollock.
Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, Principal Specialist, Marine Protected Areas, Marine Conservation Society said: “Seagrass beds are massive carbon sinks but have been severely reduced in English waters since the industrial revolution. If, through this project, we can create new beds, and enhance existing ones, it will be of a huge benefit to fish and invertebrates. It will help secure and grow a habitat that is proven to absorb massive amounts of CO2.”
In order to ‘Save Our Seagrass’ and replenish some of the 35% of seagrass which has been lost or degraded globally, MCS is working with conservation partners along the south coast of England to tackle recreational pressures which are damaging seagrass meadows to ensure they can thrive once again. The south coast, a tourist hotspot, is subject to the pressures and effects of large numbers of visitors, alongside the anchoring and mooring of vessels.
The project, LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES, will focus on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Isles of Scilly, Fal & Helford, Plymouth Sound & Estuaries, Solent and Essex Estuaries Special Areas of Conservation to replace traditional, damaging, anchoring and mooring systems with new systems which limit their impact on the seabed and, as such, on the seagrass meadows. The project will not only replace damaging anchoring and mooring systems but raise awareness of the environmental damage these older systems can cause and educate the public in how to better safeguard seagrass meadows.
The Marine Conservation Society’s ‘Save Our Seagrass’ appeal is seeking the public’s help and support. A donation to the appeal will help the charity reach the target of £105,000. Funds will help support partners to install over 75 advanced moorings, monitor the effect of the replacements, and raise awareness of the project. A donation today will support practical action to help our oceans recover allowing seagrass and maerl around the south coasts of England to recover.
To find out more and donate, please visit www.mcsuk.org/donate/marinemeadows.
Marine Life & Conservation
Double Bubble for Basking Sharks
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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