By Isle of Wight Observer
The Solent’s rare underwater meadows are showing strong signs of recovery after a record‑breaking year of seagrass restoration, led by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Throughout 2025, the Trust planted more than 58,000 seagrass seeds along the coasts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, expanding developing meadows at Calshot and Seaview. Once established, these plants will help restore one of the UK’s most threatened marine habitats.
The progress was matched by an exceptional surge in volunteer support. More than 180 volunteers contributed over 1,000 hours across 41 field sessions and multiple laboratory days – more than triple the previous year’s effort. Their work enabled the collection and preparation of 180,000 Zostera marina seeds safely stored for planting in spring 2026.
Seagrass meadows once flourished in the Solent but have declined by up to 90 per cent nationwide, due to pollution, dredging, development, and disease. Their restoration is vital: seagrass improves water quality, stores carbon, protects coastlines, and provides habitat for species, including sea bass, cuttlefish, pipefish, and the critically endangered European eel.
Early signs of recovery are already visible. Seagrass planted in the River Hamble – where it had been absent since the 1920s – has taken root and begun flowering, marking the first confirmed growth there in nearly a century.
Marine officer, Ellie Parker, praised the dedication of local volunteers, calling the project “incredibly special” and a source of “real hope” for the Solent’s future.
The Trust has been restoring seagrass since 2021, supported by the Solent Seagrass Restoration Project and Solent Seascape Project, aiming to build a healthier, more resilient marine environment for future years.
