Why Looe Marine Conservation Group swapped meetings for a boat trip

Joining a conservation group in Looe does not have to mean sitting in meetings. Sometimes it means a glass-bottomed boat, a seagrass expert and a few seals coming over for a look.

That is the message from Looe Marine Conservation Group (LMCG), which has shared one member’s account of a September trip around Looe Bay to show what its members get up to.

What Looe Marine Conservation Group says membership is about

The group says being part of LMCG means getting out and enjoying the marine environment as well as meetings and conservation work.

In September, some of its members headed out onto Looe Bay to take a closer look at the seagrass there.

📷Credit: Looe Marine Conservation Group

Out on Looe Bay with a seagrass expert

The members went out on one of the town’s glass-bottomed boats, joined by Eden Stevens, a seagrass expert from The Ocean Conservation Trust.

They got a closer look at the newly installed yellow buoys marking a Voluntary No Anchor Zone, which is there to help protect the seagrass below.

Eden also told the group how Advanced Mooring Systems have helped seagrass habitats elsewhere. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed for similar improvements here in Looe,” the member wrote.

Sea spaghetti, a starfish and some curious seals

There was more to see along the way. The member listed “sea spaghetti, kelp, a rather impressive starfish and some very curious seals near Looe Island”.

Back on shore the conversations carried on, with a closer look at seagrass through virtual reality goggles.

“It was a lovely day of exploring, learning and enjoying our local marine environment, and a great reminder that getting involved in conservation can be a lot of fun too,” the member said.

How to join Looe Marine Conservation Group

The group shares regular updates on what it does on its Facebook page and on Instagram.

Anyone who wants to get involved can join as a member through the Looe Marine Conservation Group website.

“I’m already looking forward to seeing how our seagrass develops over the coming years,” the member added.

📷Credit: Looe Marine Conservation Group