Seagrass is the plant that keeps on giving.  It is the only flowering plant capable of thriving in seawater and plays a crucial role in combating climate change. It captures carbon at a rate up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests and is responsible for 10-18% of the total carbon stored in the oceans, even though it occupies less than 0.1% of the seafloor. In addition to its carbon sequestration abilities, seagrass also offers protection to coastlines from severe storms and erosion by reducing wave impact and effectively filtering pollutants from the water.

In the UK, seagrass meadows also serve as essential habitats for diverse marine life. They provide crucial nursery grounds for significant fish species like cod and plaice, as well as iconic creatures such as octopuses, dogfish, and seals. A healthy area of 10,000 m² of seagrass can sustain 80,000 fish and more than a million invertebrates.

However, over the past century, the UK has seen a dramatic loss of up to 92% of its seagrass meadows. On a global scale, we are losing seagrass at an alarming rate, with an area equivalent to two football pitches disappearing every hour. The decline is driven by various factors, including pollution, coastal development, and damage from anchors.