Project to map Greece’s seagrass meadows gets go-ahead

The first ever attempt to map Greece’s seagrass meadows has been given the go-ahead after Agricultural Development Minister Giorgos Karasmanis signed a decision to launch an invitation for bids for the 850,000-euro project.

The charting of the Posidonia oceanica, which is commonly known as Neptune grass or Mediterranean tapeweed, is to be carried out by the end of 2015.

Posidonia oceanica is only found in the Mediterranean and is vital to preserving the sea’s ecosystem.

It helps regulate carbon dioxide absorption in the sea and atmosphere.

The European Union’s habitat directive establishes it as a priority habitat.

The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) will cover 85 percent of the project’s cost.