Nov 11: This issue focusses on the inter-relationship of sea turtles and seagrass.

Read about the efforts of volunteers and scientists helping save turtles in Queensland after large-scale seagrass losses and how turtles undergo dietary shifts that may help them survive this loss.

Other articles include: the illegal trade of Sea Turtles in Bangladesh, a critically endangered seagrass in Singapore; seagrass conservation efforts on the west coast of Thailand; monitoring in the Turks and Caicos Islands........ more

29 Dec: The three-year project, to be carried out by scientists Natalie Stoeckl and Helene Marsh, will also investigate the best way to control a sustainable catch of the endangered animals........ more

22 Dec: Turtle tracker studies sea damage........ more

15 Dec: Plans have been set in motion for 2012 to further reduce the level of turtle meat consumption in Fiji........ more

For images from recent sampling events, visit the Seagrass-Watch monitoring program gallery ........ more

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 over 300 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.