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Rebekah Bajkó, a doctoral student studying marine habitat restoration at Queen’s, was investigating the data using DAERA’s ‘Coastal Observatory’ data viewer technology, when she noticed a distinctive pattern in the tide-swept Narrows of Strangford Lough at Granagh Bay.

Seagrass is an important marine habitat for storing carbon, known as a ‘blue carbon’ habitat, the preservation and restoration of which serves as a vital action in our response to climate change.

Once widespread throughout Northern Ireland’s shallow coastal waters, seagrass has suffered significant losses due to coastal development, pollution, and disease.

After further investigation from a local diving club and experts in the field, it was confirmed that this particular seagrass meadow, of the species Zostera marina, had never previously been recorded within the Strangford Lough Marine Conservation Zone.

Speaking about the discovery, Rebekah said:

“I'm delighted to have contributed to this discovery, and I am really pleased that the technologies available to us are enabling such finds. This research will be of great significance and hopefully enable us to continue to study the habitat further.”

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: 

“I would like to commend Rebekah and everyone involved in confirming the presence of this previously unknown marine habitat. This is a really good demonstration of DAERA’s Coastal Observatory tool's capabilities, showcasing how it can empower scientists, such as Rebekah, to pinpoint areas that warrant further investigation and conservation efforts.

“We must understand where our blue carbon habitats are in order to properly manage and protect them. This recent discovery of subtidal seagrass meadow in Strangford Lough contributes to the aims in my department’s Blue Carbon Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2025-2030 by advancing knowledge of these critical ecosystems.”

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For media enquires please contact Grace White: g.white@qub.ac.uk