Living seawall along Plymouth Sound coastline enhances biodiversity

08.09.23

Workers in high vis jackets install concrete panels — Research in Sydney Harbour has shown that after two years, Living Seawalls already support at least 36% more species than plain, unmodified seawalls, with as many as 85 species of invertebrates, seaweeds and fish living and growing on the panels.

Specially-designed concrete panels will provide new habitats for marine flora and fauna on the edge of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

It is hoped that the panels become home to limpets, barnacles, anemones, seaweeds, sponges and other species commonly found in natural habitats along the South West coastline. They will be monitored over the coming months.

The project is being led by the University of Plymouth working alongside partners including Living Seawalls, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Plymouth City Council, Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum, Our Only World, The Rock Pool Project, Arup, Swansea University, and Ocean Conservation Trust.

It is also being supported with funding from the University of Plymouth, Our Only World, Plymouth City Council, Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum, Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, and Associated British Ports (ABP).