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The St Mawes Harbour Conservation Trust was established to conserve St Mawes harbour for the benefit of all

The Trust was established in 2005 by David Bucknell, Philip Marsden and the Rev Peter Durnford to address community concerns about the future of St Mawes Harbour. The Trust raised money to buy a shareholding in the St Mawes Pier & Harbour Company – a stake that amounts to a little over 10%.
At the time, the Fal & Helford Special Area of Conservation (SAC) had just been established by Natural England and the Trust joined the Advisory Group. A large part of the SAC’s focus is the protection of the estuaries’ seagrass and maerl, and St Mawes Harbour and St Mawes Bank have some of the best examples of each in the region. Recognising how little detailed research had been done on the Fal’s marine habitats, the Trust set about commissioning a baseline study of St Mawes Harbour. In 2011, they secured a grant of £50,000 from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for the St Mawes Marine Habitats Study.

In 2024, supported by Cornwall Council’s Nature Recovery Team, the Trust started work with Falmouth film-maker Lewis Jefferies to make a short film aimed at raising public awareness of St Mawes’s marine habitats – The Hidden Wonders of St Mawes Harbour.

Our Purposes & Aims

01

Protecting the marine habitat of St Mawes

To safeguard the harbour’s unique marine habitats, including rare maerl beds and seagrass meadows. These fragile ecosystems support diverse marine life and are highly sensitive to disturbance. Our efforts help preserve their biodiversity and ensure their survival for future generations.

02

Monitoring the harbour ecosystem

Regular monitoring allows us to understand changes in the harbour’s ecology. By tracking species diversity, habitat health, and human impacts, we can respond effectively to threats and guide sustainable management practices that protect this nationally important marine environment.

03

Documenting the site for further analysis

We have commissioned a detailed surveys to map habitats and record biodiversity across St Mawes Harbour. This scientific data provides a vital baseline for future studies and supports informed decision-making on conservation, mooring practices, and habitat restoration initiatives.

04

Sharing our findings with the local community

We aim to raise awareness of St Mawes’ remarkable underwater world.  By sharing  our insights into the harbour’s ecology we hope to encourage local stewardship and inspire visitors to value and protect these irreplaceable natural resources.