Researchers in bid to save our seagrass

RESEARCHERS from South Wales recently joined hundreds of scientists from around the world at an event to discuss how to protect seagrass meadows – known as the “lungs of the sea”.

Around 170 marine scientists attended a global workshop held in North Wales to highlight the importance these habitats are to not just marine life, but mankind too.

The event comes after more than 160 scientists from nearly 30 countries called for global action to to prevent further loss to these underwater meadows which are used for food and as a home for many species of wildlife.

It is also commonly referred to as the “lungs of the sea” for its ability to generate vital oxygen in the ocean.

Benjamin Jones, founding director of Project Seagrass and research assistant at Cardiff University, said: “The plight of our global oceans is arguably one of the greatest challenges for humanity during the next century.

“The loss of seagrass from common human induced impacts, such as poor water quality, coastal development, and destructive fishing leads in turn to the loss of most of the fish and invertebrate populations that they support.”

Event organisers, along with the World Seagrass Association, recently released a statement describing how action needs to be taken to save the world’s seagrass.

It said: “The loss of seagrass puts the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people at risk and exposes many people to increasing levels of poverty.

“Seagrass loss also places the viability of our remaining populations of green turtle, dugong and species of seahorse at risk. Seagrass loss should not be an option.”

Seagrass is currently decreasing at a rate of 2% every year globally, and on the coast of the British Isles alone researchers found nine of 11 sites studied showed signs of dying seagrass.

The evidence pointed to the damage being caused by human disturbance and pollution.

However, Dr Richard Unsworth, who is associated with Cardiff University’s Sustainable Places Research Institute, said there should be some reason for optimism.

“Participants at the workshop highlighted... stories of real action being taken to improve our oceans,” he said.

“Such stories ranged from a lone individual replanting seagrass in Western Australia to measures the EU has taken to use seagrass meadows as sentinels of the marine environment.”