University showcases marine restoration work as part of The Wildlife Trust’s annual conference

The University of Portsmouth’s work with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to protect and restore the region’s marine ecosystems was recently showcased at the Wildlife Trust’s ‘Seeing is Believing’ annual conference.

Wildlife Trust CEOs, patrons, partners and special guests attended the University’s Institute of Marine Sciences as part of the four-day conference. 

Professor Alex Ford gave a presentation about his research on the pressures of marine pollution and climate change in the Solent. There was also a more positive overview of work the University, led by Professor Joanne Preston, and other partners, (including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Blue Marine Foundation) are doing as part of wider seascape recovery in the Solent. 

Louise McCallum from Blue Marine Foundation spoke about the Solent Seascape Project, the first project of its kind in the UK to initiate seascape-scale restoration. Comprised of 10 partners, including the University, this ambitious five-year, multi-million-pound project is working to restore multiple habitats across the Solent strait as well as engaging with communities across the area. 

Finally, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Senior Specialist in Marine Conservation, Dr Tim Ferrero, spoke about the Trust’s work, in collaboration with other partners to protect, restore and monitor seagrass meadows within the Solent. By restoring seagrass habitats, the Trust aims to help create a wilder Solent, supporting increased biodiversity and sustainable fisheries, promoting greater ecosystem services, cleaner water and creating a natural carbon solution to mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Professor Ford said: “This was an excellent opportunity to showcase the important role the University’s marine staff plays regionally and also nationally and internationally, in both identifying and determining the impacts of significant issues such as pollution, fishing and climate change, but most importantly being part of the solution.

“Portsmouth is the UK’s only island city surrounded by internationally protected marine habits. However, like many urbanised coasts around the world, it is impacted by human activities. Healthy oceans are critical to human health and resilience to climate change. Colleagues, alongside our research partners, are demonstrating we can reverse the decline of species and restore our habitats.”

The aim of this year’s ‘Seeing is Believing’ conference was to help leaders and guests to understand the approach that The Wildlife Trusts are taking to tackle the issues that are impacting nature’s recovery in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, from intensive land and water use to over pollution of our seas.

Jamie Marsh, Director of Wilder Wight, Solent and Seas at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said: “Hosting the ‘Seeing is Believing’ annual conference provided a wonderful platform to highlight the incredible marine restoration efforts being undertaken by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust and the University of Portsmouth.

“Showcasing the innovative work we are doing reinforces the critical importance of restoring and protecting our marine ecosystems. It was brilliant to hear from esteemed speakers and then to be able to give our guests a tour of the University’s marine laboratories, which play a vital role in our seagrass seed storage and seedling development trials. Together, we are making significant strides towards protecting, restoring and monitoring our marine environment, and ensuring a healthier future for our seas.”