A pioneering conservation project in Tenerife has reached an important milestone, with the island's native seagrass now being successfully germinated in a laboratory before being replanted back into the ocean.

The initiative, led by marine conservation organisation Innoceana in partnership with the Tenerife Cabildo, has completed its first campaign to collect seeds from Cymodocea nodosa, a protected species of seagrass that plays a vital role in the Canary Islands' marine ecosystem.

Collected under authorisation from Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), the seeds are now undergoing a carefully controlled germination process that could pave the way for restoring damaged seagrass meadows around the island.

Seeds collected from healthy meadows

The seeds were gathered from two carefully selected donor sites in El Médano and La Jaquita, both chosen for their naturally high seed production.

Researchers say these thriving meadows can provide seeds without affecting their own ability to regenerate, ensuring the collection process does not damage existing habitats.

The next stage of the project is being supported by the Marine Plant Physiology and Biotechnology Group at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), which has nearly 40 years of experience cultivating marine plants in laboratory conditions.

Over the coming months, scientists will monitor the seeds as they develop into young plants. If all goes according to plan, the first seagrass seedlings could be ready for pilot restoration projects in the sea within around three months.

Eight years of conservation work

The new programme builds on eight years of research carried out by Innoceana into Tenerife's seagrass meadows, combining scientific monitoring, environmental education and collaboration with public authorities.

Growing seagrass from seeds adds another valuable tool to efforts aimed at restoring degraded areas of the seabed.

The project also involves local biologists, conservationists and more than 100 volunteers, who have taken part in activities designed to highlight the importance of these underwater habitats.

A vital ecosystem under threat

Seagrass meadows are among the Canary Islands' most valuable marine ecosystems. They provide shelter and breeding grounds for numerous marine species, help stabilise sandy seabeds, improve water quality and capture significant amounts of carbon, making them an important ally in the fight against climate change.

Carlos Mallo, CEO of Innoceana, described the meadows as "one of the Canary Islands' greatest natural treasures."

"They have protected us for decades without many people realising it," he said. "They support biodiversity, improve the quality of our coastal waters and help make our shores more resilient to climate change. Restoring them is important, but protecting the healthy meadows that still remain is even more critical."

Restoration alone is not enough

Conservationists warn that replanting efforts will have limited success unless the pressures damaging seagrass habitats are also addressed.

Among the biggest threats are boat anchors dropped directly onto the meadows, the lack of environmentally friendly moorings in many coastal areas, continued coastal development and pollution from wastewater discharges.

According to the project team, the Canary Islands have lost more than half of their seagrass meadows over recent decades, making both restoration and protection increasingly urgent.

If the current laboratory trials prove successful, the "Gardeners of the Sea" project could establish a restoration method that can be replicated across other islands in the Canary archipelago.