Cornwall first to contribute to global seagrass campaign

Cornwall has become the first county to participate in the global seagrass initiative, #ProtectOurBeds. This campaign aims to digitally map sensitive seabed locations for marine users in the savvy navvy app. Cornwall Council, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES are among the major contributors to the campaign, which is run by Clean Sailors, the Ocean Conservation Trust, and savvy navvy. The data from Cornwall has been digitally mapped and is now available in the navigation app.

One of the largest seagrass beds in the UK has been discovered off the south coast of Cornwall in St Austell Bay, home to seahorses, pipefish, and scallops. Other significant beds can be found in the Fal and Helford and Mounts Bay areas.

Seagrasses play a crucial role in combatting climate change by absorbing and storing large amounts of carbon. However, they are also the fastest disappearing habitat on the planet due to avoidable human activity.

Councillor Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the location of seagrass meadows to protect and conserve them as essential marine habitats. Data on these locations and no anchor zones were contributed to the #ProtectOurBeds campaign, which promotes responsible boating by informing marine users about areas to avoid.

Holly Manvell, founder of Clean Sailors, expressed pride in Cornwall’s recognition of the campaign’s significance and its contribution of key data to #ProtectOurBeds. She highlighted the efforts already underway in Cornish waters to protect sensitive seabeds and the commitment of Falmouth Town Council to prioritize the ecological health of the sea in decision-making.

David Cusworth, Head of Innovation and Partnerships at savvy navvy, commended Cornwall’s valuable contribution to expanding the seagrass coverage in the app. He emphasized the importance of innovative campaigns that help boaters make sustainable choices and ensure responsible navigation on the water.

The #ProtectOurBeds campaign, as part of the Blue Meadows initiative, is actively seeking global data partners for future stages of the project. For inquiries and applications, interested parties can contact Clean Sailors.

Photo credit: Martin Stevens
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