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The most comprehensive marine herbal transplant program was launched in Scotland to help restore nature in the seas all over the country.
The project, which is worth 2.4 million pounds, aims to grow 14 hectares of marine herbs, described as a wonder factory, over the next three years.
Sea herbs are often likened to rainforests because they provide food and shelter to thousands of species, but they have been decreasing worldwide since the 1930s with an estimated 7 % of the marine herbal promoter that is lost every year.
This initiative was launched in World Seagrass Day on Saturday, a partnership between the Scottish Marine Environment Fund (SMEF) and the distribution of Scottish and Southern Electricity networks (SSEN).
The grants were granted to four organizations that extend in the entire Scotland, from Steled to Kentier Peninsula.
These are: Mussy Earth’s Wilder First Kintyre Coastal Network’s East Kintyre biosphere; Wester Ross Fisheries Trust’s Seagrass Graateing Project; Highlands and Islands University – Restore the Marley Meadows project in Chitland.
SEGSAR is home to a large number of species, and it is a nutritional source for many others.
It also takes carbon dioxide, which makes it useful in treating climate change.
The partnership said that the Scottish seas are a special place for marine habitats such as marine herbs, as the coast of the country extends to 18,000 km and contains 8,000 species or more.
“This is a great example of business and the public sector that joins efforts to create real difference to improve the health of our seas, which helps to address nature and climate emergency,” said Smeef Naturescot, who is CEO Nick Havid.
“Nature and climate are closely related; if one is suffering, then the other will be.
“So we need to take care of our seas, our seaweed, and to restore nature on a large scale.”
“We are honored to participate in this ongoing partnership and welcome these four organizations, based in the SSEN distribution area in Scotland,” said Shirley Robertson, head of the strategic planning and sustainability department at SSEN.
“Their support will enable the vital restoration of these areas of marine herbs, which have already been lost around some Scottish coast.
“The positive contribution to sea herbs cannot be underestimated, and for this reason SSEN is our commitment to our action plan in 2023-28 to help finance this underwater promoter.”
“It is great to see this investment by SSEN in restoring marine herbs, which will benefit wildlife and coastal societies throughout Scotland, which truly shows a thick value as an innovative tool to attract investment to nature,” said Gillian Martin, Gillian Martin.
“The treatment of twin nature and climate crises can not be achieved by any government alone – private investment securing is vital to facing the scope of these challenges.”