Restoring seagrass to protect marine life

MSC Foundation and Mission Blue’s work to revive Spain’s seagrass meadows

Focus Area: Marine Conservation

Seagrass meadows are disappearing at an alarming rate – equivalent to a football field lost every 30 minutes – yet they play a vital role in marine ecosystems. Though they cover only 0.1% of the ocean floor, they store up to 10% of the world’s oceanic carbon, provide nursery habitats for many species of fish and invertebrates, and help stabilise coastlines.

On World Seagrass Day, the MSC Foundation highlights its collaboration with Mission Blue and Asociación Vellmari to restore seagrass meadows around Formentera, Spain. In 2024, this partnership successfully planted 15,500 Posidonia oceanica plants, restoring 600m² of seagrass habitat in the Ses Salines Natural Park. This area has suffered severe degradation, with up to 44% of seagrass lost in some zones due to boat anchoring.

Restoration is a slow and complex process, as Posidonia oceanica grows at an average rate of just 1 cm per year. However, its impact is long-lasting: seagrass meadows can store carbon for thousands of years, reduce coastal erosion, and improve water quality by trapping sediments and releasing oxygen. Protecting existing meadows while restoring damaged areas is essential to maintaining the health of the Mediterranean’s marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

The MSC Foundation remains committed to this vital work and will continue its seagrass restoration efforts with Mission Blue and Asociación Vellmari this year. By scaling up replanting efforts and strengthening conservation strategies, we are taking tangible steps to safeguard these essential marine habitats for future generations.

As Dr Sylvia Earle, President of Mission Blue, emphasises: “The ocean gives us life, regulates our climate, and connects us all. Together, we can be its voice, its defender, and its champion.” Through science-driven action, we are working to reverse the decline of these vital marine ecosystems.