Scotland has launched its most comprehensive seagrass planting programme to date, marking World Seagrass Day with a £2.4 million initiative. The project is a unique partnership between Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution and the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF).

Over the next three years, the programme aims to restore 14 hectares of seagrass meadows across Scotland, supporting marine biodiversity and coastal communities. Funding provided by SSEN, and managed by SMEEF, has been awarded to four organisations spanning from Shetland to the Kintyre peninsula:

• Mossy Earth's Wilder Firths project

• Kintyre Coastal Network's East Kintyre Biosphere

• Wester Ross Fisheries Trust's seagrass planting project

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• University of the Highlands and Islands – Restoring Shetland's Marlie Meadows project

Seagrass meadows, vital marine habitats, have been declining globally. The initiative aims to reverse this trend in Scotland, where the coastline is extensive and rich in marine biodiversity. Seagrass plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, water quality improvement, and coastal protection.

Shirley Robertson, SSEN Distribution's Head of Strategic Planning and Sustainability, said, "We are honoured to be involved in this ongoing partnership and welcome these four organisations, based in SSEN's north of Scotland distribution area to the programme. Their support will further enable the vital restoration of these areas of seagrass, previously lost around some Scottish coasts. The positive contribution of seagrass to the environment cannot be underestimated, which is why at SSEN we made the commitment in our 2023-28 Business Plan to help fund the restoration of these underwater meadows."

Nick Halfhide, Chief Executive of NatureScot, which hosts SMEEF, added: "This is a wonderful example of business and the public sector joining forces to make a real difference to improve the health of our seas, helping to tackle the nature and climate emergencies. Nature and climate are closely linked; if one is suffering, the other will be as well, so we need to take care of our seas, and our seagrass, and restore nature at scale."