Seaweed surveys discover species never seen before and new to science - Natural England

Underwater surveys discover remarkable collection of rare and previously unknown seaweeds

Natural England’s underwater surveys of maerl beds off the south coast of Cornwall have uncovered a remarkable array of rare and scientifically important seaweeds, including species never before recorded in the UK.

Among the findings are species last seen centuries ago and a tiny red seaweed now confirmed as completely new to science.

The newly identified Ceramium (pincer weed) found is only a few millimetres across, so small that it has never previously been possible to identify. Divers brought up living fragments to the surface, allowing scientists to grow it in the lab and sequence its DNA for the first time.

These discoveries serve as a reminder of the extraordinary biodiversity surrounding our coastline and the many mysteries it still holds, and also the uniqueness of some of Cornwall’s and seascapes. The vast majority of England’s maerl beds are in Cornwall.