BSAC divers have taken part in a successful seagrass seed harvest on Loch Craignish on the west coast of Scotland.
Members helped BSAC's environment partner Seawilding collect seagrass seeds during dives over the late August Bank Holiday weekend.
Seagrass meadows have been described as the most valuable coastal and marine ecosystems on the planet. They lock away carbon, provide an important habitat, protect our coasts and help to feed the planet. It has been estimated that up to 95% of seagrass has been lost. Seawilding, a community led marine habitat restoration charity is working to address this damage and this year the teamed up with BSAC divers to help out.
The seeds used for restoration are harvested underwater by hand during a short period in late August/early September when they ripen. Across two days the team of 12 volunteer divers learnt about seagrass restoration as well as the all important tips on how to identify and harvest seagrass seeds underwater.
Equipped with this knowledge the team undertook four dives, collecting more than 10,000 seeds.
Everyone was buzzing from the dives and from being part of positive action for the ocean. The staff from Seawilding shared advice on other opportunities for divers to get involved in citizen science projects individually or with their clubs. These include the new Underwater Surveyor Training course and participating in the Great Seagrass Survey.
Following the success of the weekend BSAC and Seawilding are planning another diving with a purpose weekend for the late August bank holiday weekend in 2024. More details will be announced nearer the time.
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