Seagrass Meadows - Stronger Shores

Seagrass Meadows are underwater ecosystems made up of seagrass: the only flowering plant which is able to live in seawater.

They are one of the world’s most valuable habitats and are often known as the ‘rainforests of the sea’ as they store carbon, create oxygen, and are home to a large number of creatures. This makes them an important solution in protecting the planet from the climate and biodiversity crisis. They also help to stabilise the shoreline and prevent erosion. Much of the UK’s seagrass has been lost in recent years but there are several replanting projects underway.

Photo credit Richard J Lilley, Project Seagrass

How is the Stronger Shores Project helping to restore seagrass meadows?

Action is already underway to restore seagrass habitats in locations along the North East coastline. Tees Rivers Trust are testing ways to reintroduce seagrass at Teesmouth, an area where seagrass was last recorded over a century ago. Stronger Shores funding will provide support for the expansion of this work, with a target to plant two hectares within the next 5 years (that’s bigger than two football pitches!).

Stronger Shores funding will also support the expansion of Tees Rivers Trust’s seagrass nursery system in Hartlepool, where seagrass seeds and shoots will be carefully looked after under controlled conditions. This, over time, will hopefully mean that North East England can have its very own seed stock from which to grow future seagrass.

The North Sea Wildlife Trust are also trialling seagrass restoration. They will be testing the survival of seagrass at multiple locations and will monitor the effects of this habitat on the water.

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