Thai Union Group PCL announced on Mar. 12 that it is advancing seagrass restoration efforts in Italy through its Mareblu brand, in partnership with the sustainability organization LifeGate. The initiative comes as native seagrass meadows are declining globally.
The project is part of LifeGate’s Water Defenders Alliance, a coalition that includes Mareblu and aims to protect ocean waters. Seagrass meadows are important for marine life, stabilizing seabed sediments, improving water quality, and helping mitigate climate change. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme, about 7% of the world’s seagrass meadows disappear each year.
The pilot project focuses on the Cymodocea nodosa species and took place in the Miramare Marine Protected Area in the Gulf of Trieste, which is recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. In June 2025, marine biologists from Shoreline transplanted approximately 2,300 seagrass cuttings across a 100-square-meter area organized into nine plots to help restore habitat on the seabed.
Early monitoring showed most cuttings remained in place but also revealed intense grazing by herbivores. To address this, nine temporary protective cages were installed over the plots to safeguard transplants during their early growth period.
Adam Brennan, Chief Sustainability & Communications Officer at Thai Union, said: “Seagrass meadows are an important coastal habitat, and restoring them requires practical, science-led work. This pilot reflects our SeaChange 2030 commitment to restore vital marine ecosystems through effective partnerships and measurable action.”
A structured monitoring program will continue through the end of 2026 with multiple observation points aligned with the seagrass growth cycle. The initiative supports Thai Union’s SeaChange 2030 strategy aimed at advancing sustainable seafood practices and strengthening ocean resilience.