Erosion Control Mat

An erosion control mat having a substrate 11 formed from a first material and an array of buoyant and flexible strands or fronds 12 extending from the substrate and formed from a second material. The first and second materials may be polymeric and comprise a biodegradation additive to effectuate a biodegradation of the erosion control mat in an underwater environment. The additive may be a chemoattractant compound including a sugar, furanone, glutaric acid or carboxylic acid. A swelling agent may be used to create space within the structure of the compound allowing space for the attracted microorganisms to enter and break down the chemical bonds. Marine flora seeds may be included in the substrate, which may be hessian or jute and have a pocket for locating the seeds. The mat may be part of a larger frond mat. The mat, when used underwater, will degrade over a certain period of time reducing the amount of waste plastic in the ocean.