News

Seagrass is a UK BAP Priority Habitat and important as it is the home and breeding ground for many marine creatures including seahorses and numerous commercially valuable fish species. Unfortunately its shallow location close to shore makes it highly vulnerable to human impact and sometimes Individual water users inadvertently cause damage to the seagrass by anchoring in it, travelling at high speed in the shallows over it, grounding boats on it or dredging for shellfish through it.

In response to these threats TCCT have, with the help of Torbay Harbour Authority, put in place special white marker buoys with ‘CAUTION SEAGRASS’ written on them to identify the location of the most vulnerable seagrass areas within the bay. There are also leaflets and waterproof reference maps available at harbours, marinas and yacht clubs which show where the main beds are and inform people how they can avoid causing damage to the seagrass. It is hoped that these actions will make Torbay’s residents and visitors aware of this important but scarce habitat and persuade them to help conserve it.

If you would like to know more about Torbay’s seagrass please contact Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust by email at info@countryside-trust.org.uk or phone the Seashore Centre on 01803 528841.

Over the past year Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust (TCCT) working
with the Torbay Harbour Authority, Devon Sea Fisheries Committee,
Torbay Council and Natural England surveyed the shallows of Torbay
with underwater video to map the seagrass beds that were believed to
exist there. The Torbay Seagrass Project received £23,800 funding from
SITA Trust, through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The surveys found in
excess of 80 hectares (equivalent to the area of 110 football pitches) of
seagrass, which is about 80% of the marine seagrass in the Southwest.

Please help protect Torbay’s Seagrass Beds