Expert Perceptions on Seagrass Governance, Policy and Management in the Western Indian Ocean

Abstract

Seagrass meadows are vital coastal ecosystems that support fisheries, provide coastal protection, and sequester carbon, yet they remain underrepresented in governance, policy and management frameworks. As in most places around the world, in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), where seagrasses play a crucial role in livelihoods and biodiversity, their conservation has often been seen to be incidental rather than explicit. With increasing recognition of the value of seagrass conservation in the region, it is necessary to assess the extent to which these ecosystems are being considered within conservation actions. This study, based on the responses of 29 experts to a survey conducted at the 12th WIOMSA Symposium in 2022, assesses the extent to which seagrasses are integrated into regional governance, policy and management. Findings indicate that while seagrasses receive limited direct consideration, awareness of their importance is growing. Local-scale threats such as fishing practices, pollution and habitat degradation are more frequently addressed than global threats like climate change and ocean acidification. Protected areas and environmental impact assessments emerge as key governance tools, yet their effectiveness varies. Strengthening targeted policies, enhancing knowledge-sharing and integrating seagrass conservation into broader marine management frameworks are critical for improving resilience. The continued expansion of research on seagrass in the region, including regional seagrass mapping efforts, is providing new data and insights into seagrass meadows in the WIO. Such regionally coordinated efforts are needed to advance seagrass-specific actions and ensure long-term ecological and socioeconomic benefits.