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EU LIFE ReMEDIES project draws to a close

The ReMEDIES Project comes to a close after five years, leading the way for lasting legacy
05 Nov 24
 

seagrass moving in the water Credit: Laymans Report

The ReMEDIES Project has officially come to a close after five years developing evidence-based strategies to protect and restore seabed habitats (seagrass and maerl) across five Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in southern England. 

LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES (Reducing and Mitigating Erosion and Disturbance Impacts affEcting the Seabed) project, co-funded by the EU LIFE programme and led by Natural England, was established in July 2019.  

This work was delivered in partnership with The Green Blue (The Royal Yachting Association), Plymouth City Council, the Marine Conservation Society, the Ocean Conservation Trust and the Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum. 

Seagrass meadows stabilise the seabed, clean surrounding seawater and absorb carbon, helping to prevent climate change. They are havens for many marine animals including seahorses, stalked jellyfish, and rare seaweeds. These habitats are also important fish nurseries, including for commercially valuable flatfish such as plaice and flounder. 

Five Marine Protected Areas with these important features benefited from the project: the Isles of Scilly, Fal & Helford, Plymouth Sound & Estuaries, Solent Maritime and Essex Estuaries SACs (see map).  

map of sea grass project  Credit: Caitlin Napleton

The ReMEDIES project is setting a precedent and recommendations for management and conservation of seagrass meadows and other seabed habitats across the UK and Europe.  A project evaluation will measure the conservation benefit it has provided and assess how it could be replicated across the UK and Europe.  

To protect seagrass meadows - a critically endangered EU red listed habitat, which are easily damaged and slow to recover - the project implemented environmentally friendly moorings also called Advanced Mooring Systems (AMS), Voluntary No Anchor Zones (VNAZ), targeted training of boat users, habitat restoration and an ambitious education programme, across the five SACs.  

Some key project achievements so far include: 

  • 8Ha of subtidal seagrass planted – the equivalent of 11 football pitches 
  • Over 4, 800 children reached through outdoor events and a comprehensive education programme developed for schools.  
  • 17 advanced mooring systems (AMS) installed for boat users, protecting up to 2,000 square metres of seagrass from damage by scouring. 
  • 3 Voluntary No Anchor Zones (VNAZ) established, protecting approximately 47 hectares of seagrass habitat. 
  • The Green Guide to Anchoring and Moorings published, filled with practical advice for boaters with over 5,500 downloaded or distributed so far. 

Behavioural Science Evaluation work carried out by Powellite found:  

  • An increase in boaters reporting, they ‘Never anchored in seagrass from 17% in 2021 to 41% in 2024. 
  • An increase in boaters using AMS from 5% in 2021 to 22% in 2024. 
  • A reduction in the percentage of boats anchoring in seagrass at Osborne Bay after installation of the VNAZ, from 43% in 2023 to 21% in 2024. 
  • Measuring behaviour change is new and difficult so caution is required with this work.   

sea grass image Credit: Caitlin Napleton

Kate Fortnam, Campaigns Manager at The Green Blue, RYA, said:  

“A key part of the success of the project has been the work to drive engagement and behaviour change work with recreational users. I am incredibly proud of the efforts led by The Green Blue in inspiring and enabling the boating community to make more sustainable anchoring and mooring choices, helping to protect our precious seabed habitats. It has been a privilege to collaborate with such passionate individuals, communities and organisations over the past 5 years. Together, we’ve made a real difference, and we are excited to continue the legacy of this project through new and exciting initiatives”.  

Fiona Tibbitt, Project Manager for ReMEDIES:  

“I’ve been immensely proud of all the ReMEDIES team and what has been achieved. It has been hugely challenging, but everyone involved has valiantly committed, problem solved and delivered this project for our funders and for nature.  I’m confident that the legacy of ReMEDIES will continue into the future spreading it’s influence and sharing the learning far and wide to help marine nature recovery and the benefits that provides”.  

As the ReMEDIES project comes to a close, special thanks go to everyone who has been involved in helping the project succeed. Having made great strides in the understanding, preservation and restoration of vital marine habitats, this paves the way for the next chapter. ReMEDIES has identified areas for future research, improvement and outlined legacy work which is building in momentum. For more information, visit Save Our Seabed.