Out of the Blue: The Value of Seagrasses to the Environment and to People - Summary for Policymakers

This summary for policymakers presents a science-based overview of the ecological, economic and climate importance of seagrass ecosystems and the actions needed to address their global decline. It explains that seagrasses, found in 159 countries and covering more than 300,000 square kilometres, support biodiversity, fisheries, water quality, coastal protection, tourism and climate change mitigation through substantial carbon storage and buffering of ocean acidification. The document identifies coastal development, pollution, climate change and unsustainable human activities as major threats, and recommends integrated policies, restoration, community participation, improved global mapping, expanded protected areas and stronger integration into national and international environmental frameworks.