The Marine Management Organisation has published new guidance titled Seagrass protection and recovery, made available on 25 September 2026.
The guidance sets out why seagrass matters, how damaging activity can be avoided and the ways in which the MMO supports protection and recovery in England. The document is presented as practical information for those with an interest in action around seagrass beds.
The MMO frames the guidance around three linked objectives: explaining seagrass importance, reducing harm from human activities and describing the organisation's support for recovery. Those three strands form the backbone of the material published on the government website.
The publication is intended to inform decisions and behaviour by summarising the issues and setting out steps to prevent further loss and encourage recovery. It does not, in itself, announce new legislation but provides consolidated guidance on existing MMO activity in this area.
The guidance is summarised by the MMO as a resource that explains why seagrass is important, shows how to avoid damaging seagrass beds and describes how the MMO supports protection and recovery in England.
What the guidance contains
The published material is organised to cover: why seagrass is important; how to avoid damaging seagrass beds; and how the MMO supports seagrass protection and recovery in England. These headings form the core topics that readers will encounter when consulting the guidance.
The guidance is explained in plain terms so that people and organisations can find the relevant points quickly. It is presented as a single source of information on the MMO's approach to seagrass protection and recovery.
Who the guidance is for
The MMO positions the document as a reference for those whose activities touch on England's marine environment and for others seeking to understand the regulator's role. It aims to make clear what steps can be taken to avoid damage and where the MMO can offer support.
By publishing this guidance the MMO provides a single place to consult on its thinking and practical advice regarding seagrass protection and recovery. The organisation sets out its responsibilities and the ways it can assist efforts in England.
The timing of the publication is recorded as 25 September 2026 on the government website. The Maritime Gazette is reporting the availability of the guidance so that interested parties may consult the MMO's published material directly.
The MMO's Seagrass protection and recovery guidance is part of its continuing work to set out how it will engage with environmental matters affecting English waters. The document clarifies the MMO's role and provides information intended to reduce harm and support the recovery of seagrass beds in England.