In this issue you can read about the role our seagrass meadows could play in mitigating the effects of ocean acidicification.

Other articles include: the latest on the Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program; traditional owners in Torres Strait; training workshops in Cooktown, Bali & Singapore;
the Raffles Girl School’s project at Labrador Park; from schools in the Torres Strait; and estuarine crocodiles........ more

29 Jun 09: An international team of scientists warns that accelerating losses of seagrasses across the globe threaten the immediate health and long-term sustainability of coastal ecosystems......... more

06 Jun 09: Dugongs and marine turtles in the Cape York area will be better protected thanks to an innovative partnership between marine managers, Traditional Owners and researchers........ more

Singapore: 27 Jun 09: Bright and early this morning, we're back on Chek Jawa to see how things are growing there..........gallery

Torres Strait(Aust): 27 May-04 Jun 09: All the rangers participated in the monitoring, despite their heavy work schedules and the number of people visiting the island. Seagrass cover appeared sparser and with no obvious Enhalus fruits .......gallery

Seagrass-Watch is the largest scientific, non-destructive, seagrass assessment and monitoring program in the world. Since it's genesis in 1998 in Australia, Seagrass-Watch has now expanded internationally to 26 countries.  Monitoring is now occurring at approximately 259 sites across 17 countries and an additional 9 countries participate but are currently at resource identification stage.

Seagrass-Watch aims to raise awareness on the condition and trend of nearshore seagrass ecosystems and provide an early warning of major coastal environment changes.  Seagrass-Watch monitoring efforts are vital to assist with tracking global patterns in seagrass health, and assess the human impacts which have the potential to destroy or degrade these coastal ecosystems and decrease their yield of natural resources. Responsive management based on adequate information will help to prevent any further significant areas and species being lost. To protect the valuable seagrass meadows along our coasts, everyone must work together.