Photo credit: © The Seahorse Trust
Over the summer of 2025, Bracknell Sub Aqua Club members took part in two marine conservation projects along the south coast. Bracknell’s Marine Champion, Matthew Arris, reports on how championing the marine environment as a club is helping to make a difference.
On 26 July, eleven members joined a seagrass seed collection day at Calshot Beach, Hampshire, run by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT). After a sunny beach barbecue, the Trust team briefed us on identifying and collecting seed pods. Working in pairs with wetsuits and snorkels, we gathered hundreds of seeds, later taken to Portsmouth University marine labs for processing. The seeds will be replanted at Calshot in spring 2026 to help restore this vital habitat.
Snorkellers take part in seagrass seed pod collection (library pic)
On 5 October, two club members joined a licensed seahorse survey in Dorset, organised by The Seahorse Trust and Southampton University under the authority of the Marine Management Organisation. Seahorses are protected under Schedule 5, Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, meaning anyone wishing to look for them — whether diving, snorkelling or wading — must be covered by a valid wildlife licence. As official volunteers, we were registered on the licence and accompanied by authorised surveyors to ensure best practice and minimise stress to these sensitive animals.
The dive was a fascinating experience. Each buddy pair carried a GPS buoy and camera to record sightings. Most teams found seahorses - sadly, not ours - but the data collected contributes to ongoing conservation work at this important site.
Bracknell Scuba plans to build on these experiences through Seasearch training and future conservation dives around Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
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