Businesses urged to become Seagrass Champions to protect Torbay’s marine habitats

A charity behind Paignton and Newquay Zoos has announced plans to launch its Seagrass Champions scheme, a programme designed to raise awareness of seagrass meadows, vital marine habitats found just off some of Torbay’s most popular beaches.

Freedom Boat Club Torquay, a locally run boating company, has become the first business to join the initiative, partnering with the charity Wild Planet Trust.

Oliver Patterson, Club Manager for Freedom Boat Club Torquay, said: “Freedom Boat Club Torquay is proud to support this important initiative. As a local business, we are deeply passionate about protecting Torbay’s natural habitats and marine life whilst members enjoy having fun and making memories out on the water. We have adopted several sustainable business practices, including teaching members about Voluntary No Anchor Zones, making use of eco-moorings wherever possible, and planning regular on-the-water litter picks to prevent damage to seagrass meadows and marine life.”

The charity is keen to encourage more local businesses with ties to the sea to join the scheme.

Participating businesses will display the Seagrass Champions logo, share educational materials with customers, and adopt sustainable practices to create a positive impact on the marine environment. 

Champions will also promote respect for wildlife and habitats in line with the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Seaside Code.

Dr Andrew Bowkett, Conservation Projects and Partnerships Manager for Wild Planet Trust, said: “A surprising number of people have no idea that Torbay is home to meadows of seagrass. This special habitat is under threat around the UK but can be found just off some of the most popular beaches in the Bay. We're delighted to welcome Freedom Boat Club Torquay as our first Seagrass Champion and look forward to partnering with more local businesses in the coming weeks.”

The charity’s conservationists will provide staff at each Champion business with training about seagrass habitats, ensuring they can confidently answer questions and share information about this vital ecosystem with their customers.

Oliver added: “This is the start of our journey with Wild Planet Trust, and we are looking forward to working together alongside other local businesses to grow awareness of our seagrass meadows and their importance in protecting marine life, natural habitats, as well as being a vital natural solution to climate change for carbon storage.”

Seagrass is one of the world’s most efficient carbon sinks, storing more carbon per area than tropical rainforests. 

These underwater meadows also provide crucial nursery grounds for commercial fish species, help prevent coastal erosion, and support marine biodiversity.

Wild Planet Trust’s Save Our Seagrass project is supported by Regatta Great Outdoors and Devon Environment Foundation.

For businesses interested in supporting the project, contact seagrass@wildplanettrust.org.uk.

To learn more about seagrass conservation in Torbay, visit wildplanettrust.org.uk.