If you've ever grabbed your goggles and taken a peek at Malta’s seabed, chances are you have come across this widespread seagrass, Posidonia oceanica, known more commonly as Neptune Grass.

But what is the story behind Malta’s most common seagrass species?

Last year, ‘Maltese Islands Weather’ took to social media to explain that Posidonia oceanica is endemic to the Mediterranean region and as you probably noticed if you’re a diver, the grass thrives in shallow water.

In fact, marine biologists estimate that a whopping total of 25,000 to 50,000 square kilometres are covered by Neptune Grass.  

Although abundant, Neptune Grass has often been dubbed as the lungs of the Mediterranean!

This is because 'more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere comes from the sea' and 'rough estimates indicate that every square metre of Neptune grass produces 10 to 15 litres of oxygen daily through photosynthesis'.

Neptune Grass acts as carbon sinks to Malta’s atmosphere. As ‘Maltese Islands Weather’ continued to explain 'it is estimated that every square meter of sea grass absorbs 83 grams of Carbon annually' which helps 'to alleviate the effects that greenhouse gases have on our planet'.

But apart from being the lungs of the Mediterranean Neptune Grass breaks 'swells and waves, protecting the shore from erosion'.

Neptune Grass is only able to thrive in clean waters, thus if you see large amounts of the seagrass spread across the seabed chances are you’re swimming in good quality water.

Nonetheless, even though it is largely abundant 'pollution, trawling, mooring of ships and excessive coastal development are all causes of regression'.

'More needs to be done in terms of direct action and the promotion of good conservation practices', 'Maltese Islands Weather' continued to appeal.

Neptune Grass is without a doubt an essential part to a healthy marine life for Malta’s seabed!