The project will initiate restoration and improvements in management of Berneray’s nationally important seagrass beds. The proposed planting areas sit within approx. 140ha of fragmented seagrass beds which have declined by some 190 ha in the last 40 years. Extensive surveying of the area was carried out with a previous SMEEF grant, allowing the selection of two planting areas which are considered to show the best likelihood of success. Transplanting seagrass shoots has been shown to be an effective method of restoration and will be undertaken by a team of divers from Namara Projects Ltd (a Berneray based professional marine projects business) with Berneray Community Council. SMEEF has been able to commit to a grant of £203,396 to support this work between 2026-28 using resources donated by SSEN Distribution to SMEEF.