The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) was delighted to see the results of a grant to Restoration Forth come to life recently.
Restoration Forth aims to restore crucial seagrass meadows on the Firth of Forth. After one year of hard work, part of which was funded by the Nature Restoration Fund (administered by SMEEF), 25,0000 sea grass seeds have been collected and injected in Tynighame in East Lothian, Kinghorn in Fife and Dalmeny’s Drum Sands. The sites will be monitored in the upcoming months and if successful, large-scale planting will start later in the year. The project, which is managed by WWF, aims to restore 4 hectares of sea grass meadows by 2024, as well as to re-introduce native oysters which once thrived in the Forth.
It is hoped that these actions will have a positive impact on the water quality and biodiversity of the three trial sites and will create habitat for many marine species to thrive. They will also help reduce coastal erosion and store carbon. Naomi Arnold the Restoration Forth Project Manager says:
“Seagrass is the unsung hero of our oceans and can play a major part in tackling climate change as well improving water quality and enhancing biodiversity.”
The community has been key to the success of the project, with volunteers leading the collection and planting of sea grass seeds.
“The project wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiasm of our local volunteers who have put in so much effort and hard work.” Naomi Arnold, Restoration Forth Project Manager.
SMEEF is proud to support this initiative to bring back a vital ecosystem to the Firth of Forth. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of Restoration Forth and the positive impacts for Scotland’s marine environment.
For more information on Restoration Forth click here: Restoration Forth
(Published 16/06/23)