Spain
Timeframe: 2024-2027
Location: Island of Formentera, Spain
Partner: Mission Blue
Seagrasses are flowering plants different from seaweed that grow in shallow, sheltered coastal areas. Forming underwater meadows rich in life, they support thousands of marine species and have diverse beneficial effects, producing oxygen, storing carbon, stabilising coastlines and helping keep our oceans clean. Yet, they face significant loss and destruction worldwide.
This three-year programme in partnership with Mission Blue is planting up to 37,000 seagrass plants around the Spanish island of Formentera over three years to replenish its precious seagrass meadows. This initiative aims to achieve multiple, cascading benefits: enhancing biodiversity, improving fish stocks and sequestering carbon, while contributing to the overall health of the island’s marine ecosystems.
Challenges
34%of seagrass meadows
around the Balearic island of Formentera have declined over the past 50 years due to damage from boat anchors, marine pollution, and other human activities.
7%of global seagrass meadows
have declined due to climate change, impacted by rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification.
1/3rdof global seagrass meadows
have disappeared since the late 19th century.
The destruction of seagrass meadows results in coastal erosion, loss of biodiversity and fish stocks, while depriving us of an important carbon sink.
