Extra funding confirmed today will support the recovery of the
equivalent of 266 rugby pitches of seagrass by 2030.
The additional £100,000 was announced by , Deputy First Minister with responsibility for
Climate Change and will be used to support the development of
Seagrass Network Cymru's (SNC) National Seagrass Action Plan.
Seagrass is a critically important habitat which provides us with
multiple benefits including carbon storage, flood protection and
increasing biodiversity.
Research has found that seagrass habitats harbour four times the
number of fish of unvegetated habitats. One hectare of seagrass
can support as many as 4,700 more fish and 28 million more
invertebrates than unvegetated habitats.
Restoring seagrass and saltmarsh habitats in Wales is crucial for
tackling the climate and nature emergencies and is a Programme
for Government commitment. The sites span the whole of Wales from
Pembrokeshire to Traeth Penial in Holyhead.
Deputy First Minister said: “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.
“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 NSAP
will provide a strategic, longer term, coordinated programme or
restoration, building upon our current work.
Penny Nelson, Ocean Recovery Advocacy and Policy Lead at WWF
Cymru said: “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.
“Seagrass meadows are vital for supporting biodiversity,
communities, and food security all while mitigating the growing
impacts of climate change. This endorsement puts Wales on the
path to leading the way in the recovery of our coastal and marine
habitats and building a sustainable future for Wales.
“We look forward to working with Welsh Government to implement
the National Seagrass Action Plan over the next 5 years which is
crucial to achieve a vision where seagrass meadows are recovering
and thriving.”
Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, CEO of Project Seagrass and Chair of
Seagrass Network Cymru said: “The greatest strength of the
draft National Seagrass Action Plan is its collaborative nature.
“Seagrass Network Cymru brought together seagrass stakeholders
from across Wales to develop this plan and offer a coordinated
and chronological blueprint for action.”
“This funding to bring in the National Seagrass Action Plan
coordinator now is critical to maintaining momentum built up by
Seagrass Network Cymru and begin to deliver on the actions
outlined in the draft Plan.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
Location of seagrass restoration sites:
- Project Seagrass Nursery in Pendine
- The Seagrass Ocean Rescue: North Wales programme aims to
plant seagrass over an area of ten hectares across North Wales,
together with local communities
- Carreg y Defaid
- Penychain
- Penrhos headland
- Traeth Penial
- Project Seagrass South Wales restoration sites
- Dale, Pembrokeshire
