This Seagrass Meadow Scotland restoration project, funded by SSEN Distribution donations to SMEEF, is within the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area and being undertaken by a committed group of volunteers. The testing and development of planting methods is a vital component of their work, trialling using seagrass fragments washed up on local shores after storm events as the main donor material for the restoration programme.
The aim of the project is to restore a seagrass bed at Inverasdale, Loch Ewe, Wester Ross. The restoration area is within the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area, where living fragments of a former seagrass bed were present until around 2010. An initial area of 0.5ha is being targeted, with potential for additional restoration of seagrass beds over a greater area within the Loch Ewe area over future years.
A key element of the project is the development of methods using seagrass fragments washed up on local shores after storm events as the main donor material for restoration. A seagrass nursery has been erected close to the restoration site for cultivation of these fragments. Allowing the storm washed shoots to develop resilience before being replanted in the restoration area. Shoots washed up by Christmas Day storms were collected by dedicated volunteers and planted in the nursery tanks. Their hard work has paid dividends, and new shoots are already appearing to greet the spring sunshine.
The project is being delivered by Wester Ross Fisheries Trust (WRFT), based in Gairloch. WRFT are a registered charity focusing on the conservation and enhancement of native freshwater fish and their inland and coastal water environments. As seagrass is an important habitat for young sea trout and other migratory salmonids, this project is key to wild fish conservation work. The project will include partnership with local marine conservation groups and community volunteers
SMEEF has been able to commit to a grant of £208,513 to support this work between 2025-28 using resources donated by businesses to SMEEF. In 2025 SMEEF was also able to provide a grant of £21,608 to support this work using resources from the Nature Restoration Fund.