Following the end of the Coastal Capacity funding (Welsh Government via the Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership) in March this year, we’d like to share an update on the seagrass in Dale Bay, and upcoming plans. In January through to March, many activities took place to support the seagrass:
- A further 50,000 seeds were planted across the restoration area to infill gaps, utilising novel mechanised methods (directly injecting seeds and bags into the sediment with a sled).
- Biodiversity surveys of both Dale and Castlebeach Bay and mapping of the seagrass meadow at Castlebeach Bay were trialled but will be repeated with better visibility.
- Engagement activities took place in partnership with Windswept, Celtic Deep and Dale Fort – including paddleboard sessions, an art session, school assemblies, underwater video analysis, rocky shore walkovers and seine netting.
- Seagrass friendly lobster pots were designed, made and installed by local boat builders and a local fisher – to be monitored over the next few months.
The seagrass is also doing well despite previous setbacks, with new patches of seagrass spotted on the spring low tide. A drone survey will be carried out during the September low tides along with the annual dive survey to monitor extent.
The current licence for the restoration area comes to an end this Autumn – Project Seagrass seeks to extend the licence to continue to support the area. Further funding has also been secured to support seagrass in Dale.