As a surfer, the thought of seaweed usually gives you stress pimples: either the annoying weed clings to your fin or foil in the summer months, or you have to put up with sub-optimal conditions. Weed fins to deal with. But the thing that gets on our nerves and has ruined a session or two are just individual stalks torn loose by storms and floating on the surface of the water. Healthy seagrass on the seabed is an important factor in the ecological balance, and many seagrass meadows are now endangered. This is why the "Just 1 Ocean Diver e.V." association is committed to the reforestation of seagrass meadows.
Next weekend, from 18 to 20 July 2025, volunteer divers from the association will continue their seagrass planting campaign at Wulfener Hals on Fehmarn. The campaign follows on from the successful operations at the beginning of May and on the Whitsun weekend. Volunteers are very welcome, and helping hands are needed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day for the preparation on land. As a thank you, there will be a barbecue on Saturday evening.
Importance of seagrass for marine conservation
Martin Noël Lampe, Chairman of the non-profit organisation, emphasises the central role of seagrass for climate protection: "Seagrass is not only a habitat for many marine creatures, but also plays a central role in climate protection by storing carbon dioxide and protecting the coasts from erosion." In recent years, the seagrass population has declined dramatically due to pollution, climate change and human intervention. The planting campaigns aim to counteract this trend and preserve the important functions of seagrass meadows for the marine ecosystem.
The planting campaigns are carried out with great care in order to conserve the existing seagrass beds and at the same time open up new areas. Divers remove the seagrass shoots from intact donor meadows using minimally invasive methods and transport them by boat in special containers to the planting site. On land, the shoots are rinsed by helpers, freed from mussels and sand and bundled into plant bundles of 50 pieces. Divers then plant these bundles by hand at suitable locations on the seabed. This method ensures gentle transplanting and increases the chances of survival of the newly established seagrasses.
Helpers are welcome for the planting campaign
The association invites interested helpers to actively participate in the campaign. Even people without diving experience can help prepare and clean the seagrass on land. "Just drop by and join in!" the organisation encourages in its announcement. In addition to the practical work, Just 1 Ocean Diver e.V. informs visitors on site about the importance of seagrass for the marine ecosystem and its role in protecting coastal waters. This public relations work is intended to help raise awareness of marine conservation among the general public.
The coordination and logistics of the missions are carried out in close cooperation with GEOMAR and the Fehmarn Environmental Council. The project is also supported by other organisations such as the Society for the Rescue of Dolphins. These co-operations make it possible to pool knowledge, resources and experience and jointly implement important marine conservation projects. The divers from Just 1 Ocean Diver e.V. carry out regular monitoring missions to check the success of the measures in the long term. They observe and document the development of the newly planted seagrass meadows at the Wulfener Hals site.
Tobias Pootz, the association's deputy diving team leader, emphasises the importance of volunteer work: "Our work is only possible thanks to the commitment of many people. Anyone who is interested can join us and help - whether underwater or on land." This appeal emphasises that marine conservation is a collective task in which every contribution counts. The seagrass planting campaign on Fehmarn is an example of how water sports enthusiasts and environmentalists can work hand in hand to protect and regenerate marine ecosystems.
- Further information and registration at seegras-fehmarn.de
