In the twenties, a hundred years ago now, there was a wasting disease which tore through all the eel grass in the north atlantic. Another disease outbreak in the eighties, and this time that the the pathagan was identified, slime mould called labyrinthula xosteri. How much grass across the uk? Coasts have we lost, and when do we lose it? It's very difficult to be precise. The water quality causes things like the owgle growth. And then there are physical pressures as well. Certain types of fishing gear, like bottom toad gear, trolls and dredges can be very damaging for sea grassthey actually tear the root mat