The government of Wales will invest £100,000 (USD$124,000) to support the development of Seagrass Network Cymru’s (SNC) National Seagrass Action Plan and plant what it says is the equivalent of 266 rugby pitches of seagrass.
Seagrass is crucial for sequestering carbon, protecting coastlines and supporting marine biodiversity. Scientists estimate 10% of the total organic carbon sequestered in the ocean is buried in the soils below seagrass meadows, which also buffer coastal communities from the full impact of waves and protect coastlines from erosion. Experts estimate that one-fifth of the world’s most-landed fish species use seagrass as nursery areas, including many commercially important species.
The sites span the whole of Wales from Pembrokeshire to Traeth Penial in Holyhead. The government of Wales said restoring seagrass and saltmarsh habitats is crucial for tackling the climate and nature emergencies and is a Programme for Government commitment.
“I am pleased to announce this additional funding which will help Wales to halt seagrass loss and support recovery of 266 hectares of seagrass by 2030,” said Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies. “It will also help develop longer-term sources of public and private finance to support the creation of green jobs.”
The National Seagrass Plan (NSAP) has been developed by Seagrass Network Cymru which comprises of a range of delivery partners including NGOs, academics and Natural Resources Wales.
“The Welsh Government’s support of the National Seagrass Action Plan is a significant step in the collective efforts of the partners of Seagrass Network Cymru to halt and reverse the decline of seagrass across Wales,” said Penny Nelson, Ocean Recovery Advocacy and Policy Lead at WWF Cymru.
