Well done! Malta’s largest seagrass restoration initiative reaches 530m²

Malta’s underwater meadows are one step closer to recovery following another successful Posidonia oceanica transplantation in Qawra, bringing the total seabed area restored through the initiative to 530 square metres.

In a social media post, marine scientist Alan Deidun announced that the Oceanography Malta Research Group (OMRG), within the University of Malta’s Department of Geosciences, had transplanted more than 1,800 seagrass cuttings across approximately 200 square metres of seabed over three days.

The latest effort builds on previous restoration work, making it the largest seagrass transplantation initiative ever undertaken in Malta.

The project was carried out in collaboration with WWF Mediterranean through the Blue South Med project, building on earlier work with the MEDSEA Foundation. Watercolours Diving Centre and other partners also supported the initiative.

Posidonia oceanica, commonly known as Neptune grass, is a marine plant that forms underwater meadows across the Mediterranean. These habitats play an important ecological role, providing shelter and nursery grounds for marine life, supporting biodiversity and helping protect coastal ecosystems.

While the latest transplantation marks a significant milestone, the work does not end with planting the cuttings. The next stage will focus on monitoring their development and assessing whether the restored areas successfully establish themselves.

Well done!