Wightlink has teamed up with scientists and students from the University of Portsmouth in a new environmental project to examine – and ultimately encourage – the growth of seagrass in the Solent off Ryde.
Thriving seagrass beds help to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and at the same time increase biodiversity by creating habitat for marine life. The new project will gather more information about the Solent beds, which in turn will pave the way for the planting of more seagrass.
Dr Ian Hendy, senior lecturer at the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of Portsmouth says:
“The more we understand the benefits seagrass is bringing to the local environment, then the better placed we will be to develop planting projects to maximise those benefits.
“Seagrass performs such an important role in carbon reduction by drawing out CO2 from the environment and holding it safely in the seabed. It also provides a great habitat for marine life and helps anchor the seabed and thereby prevent coastal erosion.
“There are so many good reasons to encourage its growth and the first part of that is to record where we are at this moment in time.”
A team from the university is carrying out an initial survey of the seabed around Ryde Pier. This will set the baseline for the ongoing study to monitor both the seagrass population and the amount of CO2 it removes from the atmosphere.
Wightlink is supporting the Portsmouth team with travel as the surveys continue. Further projects at the ferry company’s ports look likely.
Chief Executive Keith Greenfield says:
“We are delighted to support this work by our friends at the University of Portsmouth and, indeed, to look at other opportunities where Wightlink can be a part of understanding and improving the environment around us.”
Good job the council can’t geve building permission there or it would be full of housing and parking meters
Well one never knows.. just imagine if it stops the ferries, from the disturbance their propulsion creates… Tunnel…???
Good news, I’ve been in touch with Portsmouth university regarding ryde pier and the obstruction that is hooking up fishmans tackle. There for a pollution to the environment and danger to marine species. Its going to be sorted with the help on the ferry company. On a other note, it looks like my last comment has been taken down.