SAMS news room

The largest conference dedicated to seagrass restoration in the UK is coming to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban in 2027.

The Seagrass Symposium is dedicated to knowledge sharing and improving restoration success rates and involves delegates from around the world representing academia, industry and environmental NGOs and charities.

The event is organised by Project Seagrass and the Ocean Conservation Trust.

At the conclusion of this year’s event in Cardiff, Dr Alasdair O’Dell of SAMS received the ceremonial ink stamp as an official handover to the next event hosts.

Dr O’Dell said: “As an ocean research charity, university and consultancy, SAMS is heavily involved in seagrass restoration activity and is thrilled to bring the Seagrass Symposium to Scotland for the first time. 

"Seagrass restoration in Scotland is at the very start of its journey, but there is more going on than many people realise. There has seen an expansion over the past five years in projects driven by passionate, hardworking collaborative people and communities.

“I’m particularly excited by the educational opportunities the conference will provide. In general, people want to do good for the environment and are becoming aware that the environment is not working the way it did a century ago. With knowledge, support and inspiration from conferences like this they can become empowered to act.”

SAMS research has supported organisations like Seawilding in Argyll and the Community of Arran Seabed Trust in establishing baseline. Support from the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Scheme (SMEEF) has seen SAMS able to host a dedicated workshop on 10^th December to identify research needs and how best to integrate research into restoration practice. SMEEF have also funded the development of a bespoke seagrass lab at SAMS which will advance understanding of propagation techniques and potentially become a seagrass nursery supplying shoots to restoration projects across Scotland.

SMEEF has, through the Seagrass Meadows Programme funded the largest planting project ever seen in Scottish waters with projects in Shetland, Wester Ross, Kintyre and the Dornoch Firth.