Seagrass meadows are among the most common coastal habitats on Earth, covering at least 266,562 km2 in at least 136 countries. They nurture fish populations, weaken storm surges, and provide numerous other services to coastal communities. Seagrass ecosystems are biologically rich and highly productive, providing valuable nursery habitats to more than 20 per cent of the world’s largest 25 fisheries. They can filter pathogens, bacteria, and pollution out of seawater, and are home to endangered and charismatic species such as dugongs, seahorses, and sea turtles.
But they are globally threatened with a number of the world’s estimated 73 seagrass species currently in decline. Since the late 19th century, almost 20 per cent of known seagrass area across the globe has been lost. Reversing this trend is possible.