Blue Carbon

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Wrasse and kelp forest Holywell. Photo credit Matt Slater, Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Blue carbon is a term used to describe the carbon captured by the world’s oceans and coastal habitats.

Just like trees absorb carbon on land, certain underwater habitats do the same in the ocean. They trap carbon in their structures and in the seabed, keeping it out of the atmosphere for long periods. As such, they are a vital tool in stabilising climate change.

Cornwall’s blue carbon ecosystems include;

  • seagrass,
  • mud flats,
  • salt marsh,
  • maerl (an ancient coral reef),
  • and kelp.

Cornwall Council is exploring the potential of blue carbon in Cornwall's coastal waters. From our Seagrass mapping and restoration, to the first ever UK Maerl Forum, our work continues to build our understanding of these amazing and valuable marine wildlife and use that information to better manage and protect them for generations to come.

Check out our blue carbon initiatives here;






Wrasse and kelp forest Holywell. Photo credit Matt Slater, Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Blue carbon is a term used to describe the carbon captured by the world’s oceans and coastal habitats.

Just like trees absorb carbon on land, certain underwater habitats do the same in the ocean. They trap carbon in their structures and in the seabed, keeping it out of the atmosphere for long periods. As such, they are a vital tool in stabilising climate change.

Cornwall’s blue carbon ecosystems include;

  • seagrass,
  • mud flats,
  • salt marsh,
  • maerl (an ancient coral reef),
  • and kelp.

Cornwall Council is exploring the potential of blue carbon in Cornwall's coastal waters. From our Seagrass mapping and restoration, to the first ever UK Maerl Forum, our work continues to build our understanding of these amazing and valuable marine wildlife and use that information to better manage and protect them for generations to come.

Check out our blue carbon initiatives here;





Blue Carbon Questions


Cuttlefish Eggs AKA Sea grapes!  

Please feel free to ask any questions about Cornwall's blue carbon and our research into marine carbon storage.


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  • Share How is Cornwall Council intending to protect the very large seagrass bed in St Austell Bay? Can we look forward to the same level of protection as that in Mount's Bay, Falmouth and Helford given we also have maerl, seagrass and seahorses in St Austell Bay including off Par Sands in mid-Cornwall? We see a lot about other areas of the Cornish coastline but the Par/St Blazey area seems to be neglected, yet research shows that seagrass is good for dissipating wave energy and reducing the potential for coastal erosion and flooding: a key consideration in Par in particular where many properties lie either at or below sea level. on Facebook Share How is Cornwall Council intending to protect the very large seagrass bed in St Austell Bay? Can we look forward to the same level of protection as that in Mount's Bay, Falmouth and Helford given we also have maerl, seagrass and seahorses in St Austell Bay including off Par Sands in mid-Cornwall? We see a lot about other areas of the Cornish coastline but the Par/St Blazey area seems to be neglected, yet research shows that seagrass is good for dissipating wave energy and reducing the potential for coastal erosion and flooding: a key consideration in Par in particular where many properties lie either at or below sea level. on Twitter Share How is Cornwall Council intending to protect the very large seagrass bed in St Austell Bay? Can we look forward to the same level of protection as that in Mount's Bay, Falmouth and Helford given we also have maerl, seagrass and seahorses in St Austell Bay including off Par Sands in mid-Cornwall? We see a lot about other areas of the Cornish coastline but the Par/St Blazey area seems to be neglected, yet research shows that seagrass is good for dissipating wave energy and reducing the potential for coastal erosion and flooding: a key consideration in Par in particular where many properties lie either at or below sea level. on Linkedin Email How is Cornwall Council intending to protect the very large seagrass bed in St Austell Bay? Can we look forward to the same level of protection as that in Mount's Bay, Falmouth and Helford given we also have maerl, seagrass and seahorses in St Austell Bay including off Par Sands in mid-Cornwall? We see a lot about other areas of the Cornish coastline but the Par/St Blazey area seems to be neglected, yet research shows that seagrass is good for dissipating wave energy and reducing the potential for coastal erosion and flooding: a key consideration in Par in particular where many properties lie either at or below sea level. link

    How is Cornwall Council intending to protect the very large seagrass bed in St Austell Bay? Can we look forward to the same level of protection as that in Mount's Bay, Falmouth and Helford given we also have maerl, seagrass and seahorses in St Austell Bay including off Par Sands in mid-Cornwall? We see a lot about other areas of the Cornish coastline but the Par/St Blazey area seems to be neglected, yet research shows that seagrass is good for dissipating wave energy and reducing the potential for coastal erosion and flooding: a key consideration in Par in particular where many properties lie either at or below sea level.

    AMW asked over 1 year ago

    Hi AMW

    Many thanks for your message and recognition of St Austell Bay as a national site if importance for our subtidal seagrass. Although not protected via the existing Special Protection Area in St Austell Bay, seagrass is recognised as priority marine features in England, a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Habitat and an OSPAR Threatened and Declining Habitat. As such these designations emphasise the importance of safeguarding seagrass habitats for the well-being of our oceans and the species that depend on them, and are considered by our governing bodies such as Natural England when assessing licensable activities within a marine area such as St Austell Bay. We also welcome the efforts of our partners at Cornwall Wildlife Trust who are working within the catchment, leading local research and community engagement to raise the understanding and profile of this incredible and important site. Cornwall Council will continue to support our partners and other stakeholders in building our knowledge and understanding of these vital blue carbon habitats, and work collectively towards their protection and restoration through initiatives like our voluntary marine extension to our Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

  • Share Does Seagrass grow on the North coast of Cornwall? on Facebook Share Does Seagrass grow on the North coast of Cornwall? on Twitter Share Does Seagrass grow on the North coast of Cornwall? on Linkedin Email Does Seagrass grow on the North coast of Cornwall? link

    Does Seagrass grow on the North coast of Cornwall?

    over 3 years ago

    No Seagrass has been found off the North Coast of Cornwall to date.   The North coast of Cornwall is mostly exposed with too much wave action for Seagrass to become established.  However, never say never!  Perhaps there are a few places worth looking for it....

Page last updated: 08 Oct 2025, 02:24 PM