30 June 2009
Seagrass-Watch's electronic news service, providing marine and coastal news of international and national interest. Abbreviated articles are presented with links to their source.
Seagrass-Watch HQ recommends that readers exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of the information in this bulletin and that readers carefully evaluate the
accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the material in the bulletin for their purposes. You are free to distribute it amongst your own networks.


IN THIS BULLETIN
NEWS.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Loss of coastal seagrass habitat accelerating globally .................................................................................................................................. 1
Villagers back project (Fiji) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
County cleared for seagrass removal (Brooksville, FL, USA) ........................................................................................................................ 2
Lake Macquarie much healthier, naturally (Newcastle, Australia).................................................................................................................. 2
Row over protection plans for Dorset's seahorses (UK)................................................................................................................................. 3
Tampa Bay continues to regain seagrass (Seminole, FL, USA) .................................................................................................................... 3
Seagrass issues brought center stage (Rockport, TX, USA) ......................................................................................................................... 3
Issue 37 Seagrass-Watch Magazine................................................................................................................................................................... 4
SEAGRASS-WATCH WORKSHOPS 2009......................................................................................................................................................... 4
CONFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
CERF 2009 (Oregon (USA), 1 -5 November 2009)........................................................................................................................................ 4
GALLERY ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Chek Jawa (Singapore): 27 June 2009 .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Tuas (Singapore): 25 June 2009.................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Goold Island (Qld, Australia): 23 June 2009 .................................................................................................................................................. 4
FROM HQ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Frequently Asked Questions .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Seagrass-Watch News Issue 37 .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Seagrass-Watch Shop ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Virtual Herbarium ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Giveaways...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Future sampling dates.................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Handy Seagrass Links ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Please note: links to sources were active on date of publication. Some sources remove links periodically.
NEWS
Loss of coastal seagrass habitat accelerating globally (Evergreen,VA,USA)
29 June 2009, PhysOrg.com
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. The team has compiled and analyzed the first
comprehensive global assessment of seagrass observations and found that 58 percent of world's seagrass meadows
are currently declining.
The assessment, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows an acceleration of
annual seagrass loss from less than 1 percent per year before 1940 to 7 percent per year since 1990. Based on
more than 215 studies and 1,800 observations dating back to 1879, the assessment shows that seagrasses are
disappearing at rates similar to coral reefs and tropical rainforests.
The team estimates that seagrasses have been disappearing at the rate of 110 square-kilometers (42.4 square-
miles) per year since 1980 and cites two primary causes for the decline: direct impacts from coastal development and
dredging activities, and indirect impacts of declining water quality.
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"A recurring case of 'coastal syndrome' is causing the loss of seagrasses worldwide," said co-author Dr. William
Dennison of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. "The combination of growing urban
centers, artificially hardened shorelines and declining natural resources has pushed coastal ecosystems out of
balance. Globally, we lose a seagrass meadow the size of a soccer field every thirty minutes."
"While the loss of seagrasses in coastal ecosystems is daunting, the rate of this loss is even more so," said co-author
Dr. Robert Orth of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science of the College of William and Mary. "With the loss of each
meadow, we also lose the ecosystem services they provide to the fish and shellfish relying on these areas for nursery
habitat. The consequences of continuing losses also extend far beyond the areas where seagrasses grow, as they
export energy in the form of biomass and animals to other ecosystems including marshes and coral reefs."
"With 45 percent of the world's population living on the 5 percent of land adjacent to the coast, pressures on
remaining coastal seagrass meadows are extremely intense," said co-author Dr. Tim Carruthers of the University of
Maryland Center for Environmental Science. "As more and more people move to coastal areas, conditions only get
tougher for seagrass meadows that remain."
Seagrasses profoundly influence the physical, chemical and biological environments of coastal waters. A unique
group of submerged flowering plants, seagrasses provide critical habitat for aquatic life, alter water flow and can help
mitigate the impact of nutrient and sediment pollution.
more....................... http://www.seagrasswatch.org/news.html
Related articles: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gDOdtt0UZamxK9tyQsdullpUaltAD994J4EG0 ,
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-sci-seagrass-loss,1,7087495.story
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE55T18S20090630
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSSYD467573
http://www.eleconomista.es/telecomunicaciones-tecnologia/noticias/1368640/06/09/Seagrass-losses-reveal-global-coastal-crisis.html
Villagers back project (Fiji)
18 June Fiji Times
A dairo (sandfish) rearing project in Vanua Levu achieved a major milestone recently, with the release of hatchery-
bred juveniles into the sea at Natuvu Village, Wailevu. The project which is the first of its kind in Fiji was introduced
last year to address the problem of diminishing stocks of dairo.
Recently, 500 juveniles, each weighing between 1 and 10 grams, were released into experimental pens in the
seagrass bed in front of Natuvu Village. This is a pilot release at this stage and none have been released into the
seagrass beds for sea ranching yet. The pilot study will look at the relative survival and growth of two different size
groups to determine which perform best in the wild after release. The two size groups are small (1-3g) and large
(greater than 3g).
Project co-ordinator Cathy Hair said overseas research suggested dairo less than 3 grams in size, which is a bit
smaller than a little finger, did not survive well when released into the wild. The Fiji research will confirm whether this
holds true for the seagrass bed in Wailevu because their performance may depend on the particular habitat they are
released into.
more....................... http://www.seagrasswatch.org/news.html
County cleared for seagrass removal (Brooksville, FL, USA)
29 June 2009, Hernando Today
BROOKSVILLE - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed off on the Hernando Beach dredge permit Friday, setting
the stage for the next phase of the project: seagrass removal.
Assistant County Engineer Gregg Sutton said Seagrass Recovery, based in Indian Rocks Beach, has charged the
county $378,000 to do three things: assess the seagrass at the dredge site, remove it to a protection area and then
monitor its progress.
Sutton said he will meet with Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials next week and update them on
other aspects of the project, including rock disposal, a wildlife survey and an overall dredging plan. Sutton estimates
it will be mid-July before work begins on extracting the seagrass.
Full story and source: http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2009/jun/29/county-cleared-seagrass-removal/news/
Lake Macquarie much healthier, naturally (Newcastle, Australia)
29 June 2009, Newcastle Herald
Water clarity in Lake Macquarie has improved by 96 per cent over the past decade, figures show. The Lake
Macquarie Improvement Project has spent $27 million since 1999 to make the lake healthier.
Seagrass cover, the foundation of the lake's ecosystem, had increased by 25 per cent or 2.5 million square metres
over that period. The improvement project will end this week and its co-ordinator Jeff Jansson will retire.
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Mr Jansson said the lake was "very degraded and water quality was poor" when the project started. While the
science shows the lake has improved markedly, the best and most pleasing indicator was public sentiment, he said.
People often comment on the lake's improved water quality.
Project chairman and Mayor Greg Piper paid tribute to hundreds of volunteers who contributed to the program,
helping rehabilitate wetlands and planting 600,000 plants. The State Government and Lake Macquarie City Council
jointly funded the project, which originated from a state pollution report in the 1980s that found sediments and
nutrients to be major causes of the lake's poor health. Mr Jansson said the project's success reflected "a change in
thinking aimed at preserving and replicating natural systems, rather than adopting traditional hard engineering
solutions".
Full story and source: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/lake-macquarie-much-healthier-naturally/1553372.aspx
Row over protection plans for Dorset's seahorses (UK)
20 June 2009, Dorset Echo
A row has broken out over a protection zone to save seahorses off Dorset. A voluntary anchor-free zone is being
introduced at Studland Bay which is home to the country's largest breeding seahorse colony. Wardens will then
patrol and photograph the area to create a map of boating activity during the busy summer season. Experts will
compare data from the seagrass in the anchor-free zone and a control zone where boats can anchor to judge the
impact on the seahorse territory.
But locals fear it will turn in to a `naming and shaming' exercise with boats that are anchored in the bay named on the
internet. They believe the seagrass and seahorses are thriving and should be left alone. They also argue that the
village will suffer economically if the hundreds of boats that come each weekend in summer decide to stay away.
Steve Trewhella, from the Seahorse Trust, said: "Although we welcome the fact that Crown Estate and Natural
England have paid for a study of the eelgrass it's a start but unfortunately I think they are just going to spend huge
amounts of money proving what we already know that there is lots of damage down there".
Full story and source: http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/4448682.Row_over_protection_plans_for_Dorset_s_seahorses/
Related article: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/4446932.Studland_residents_hit_back_over_claims_boats_harm_seahorse_habitat/
Tampa Bay continues to regain seagrass (Seminole, FL, USA)
18 June 2009, Tampa Bay Newspapers
Tampa Bay gained more than 1,300 acres of seagrass between 2006 and 2008, and now supports more seagrass
than at any time measured since the 1950s, according to the most recent aerial surveys of the bay.
Overall, the amount of seagrasses in Tampa Bay increased by 5 percent, according to surveys conducted by
scientists with the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Surface Water Improvement and Management
(SWIM) program. This slightly exceeds the 4.7 percent increase tallied between 2004 and 2006, the last time
seagrass coverage was assessed.
Scientists cautioned that these latest gains may be due, in part, to the ongoing drought, since less rain means less
stormwater runoff flowing to the bay. Nutrient-laden runoff clouds the water, preventing sunlight from reaching the
underwater grasses. The increase also may be partially a function of even clearer water than usual when the aerial
photos were taken, allowing better views of seagrasses in deeper waters.
Full story and source: http://www.tbnweekly.com/editorial/outdoors/content_articles/061809_out-05.txt
Seagrass issues brought center stage (Rockport, TX, USA)
16 June 2009, Rockport Pilot
Representatives from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Fisheries Division hosted a news media boat tour Friday,
June 12, out of Aransas Pass to provide a firsthand look at problems and opportunities facing coastal seagrasses.
The tour took place in the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area (SSA) which encompasses part of Aransas Bay near
Rockport.
A comprehensive seagrass conservation plan was adopted 10 years ago to identify problems, designate objectives,
and develop long- and short-range strategies and actions to protect and preserve Texas seagrasses. The plan also
included monitoring of specific areas to determine the status and trends of Texas seagrasses.
As those tasked with protecting seagrass focus on the issues, boaters, too, can do their part. Boaters can protect
seagrass when in shallow water by lifting their motors to avoid scarring the beds with propellers. Lift (boat motors),
drift, pole or troll through these waters to prevent damage to seagrass beds. People can also take care of what ends
up in stormwater drains. Toxics, like paint or oil, and trash should be properly disposed to avoid ending up in the bay
where they can degrade water quality and seagrass habitats. Likewise homeowners can do their part by limiting the
amount of fertilizer they put on their lawns to the manufacturer's recommended amount.
Full story and source: http://www.rockportpilot.com/articles/2009/06/16/news/doc4a37e0aada576577606322.txt
www.seagrasswatch.org
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Issue 37 Seagrass-Watch Magazine
The latest issue of Seagrass-Watch news (the official magazine of the global seagrass and assessment program) is
now available online at http://www.seagrasswatch.org/magazine.html
In this issue two of the worlds leading scientists on seagrass physiology (Mats Björk and Sven Beer) debate the
affects of ocean acidification and the role seagrass could play in mitigating the effects. The discussion is largely
based on their recent paper "Seagrass photosynthesis controls rates of calcification and photosynthesis of
calcareous macroalgae in a tropical seagrass meadow" by I.S. Semesi, S. Beer and M. Björk (Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.
382: 41-47 (2009)). Let's hope that our high-productivity meadows may be looked upon as areas that are safe from
ocean acidification, further highlighting the need for their protection from decline.
In this issue you can read about the latest Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program sampling in the Great Barrier
Reef (Queensland, Australia). Find out what has been happening in the southern Great Barrier Reef region and
around Townsville.
You'll also find articles on traditional owners monitoring their sea country in Torres Strait, and how an increase of
volunteers in Hervey Bay will hopefully reinvigorate monitoring in the region. There are also articles on the training
workshops in Cooktown, Bali and Singapore. Catch up with the Raffles Girl School's project to monitor the
productivity and health of seagrass at Labrador Park (Singapore) and hear from schools in the Torres Strait. We
finish this issue with some facts on estuarine crocodiles and advice on how to be croc wise.
SEAGRASS-WATCH WORKSHOPS 2009
Australia
Broome, WA, August 23-24 (Registration closes 17th August 09)
For more information: http://www.seagrasswatch.org/training.html#wrkshop09
CONFERENCES
CERF 2009 (Oregon (USA), 1 -5 November 2009)
Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Conference (CERF) will host a seagrass program titled, "Seagrass Ecosystem Health in a Global
Perspective". Seagrass Ecosystem Health in a Global Perspective will include four half day sessions:
· Seagrass Physiological Stress: In Sickness and in Health (SCI-108)
· Seagrass Assessment: Think Globally, Monitor Locally (SCI-105)
· Seagrass Ecological Health: Diagnosing the Canary (SCI-106)
· Seagrass Management and Policy: Proactive Sustainability (SCI-107)
More information: http://erf.org/cerf2009/
GALLERY
Chek Jawa (Singapore): 27 June 2009 http://www.seagrasswatch.org/gallery.html
Bright and early this morning, we're back on Chek Jawa to see how things are growing there. We've got our spiffy "Seagrass
Monitoring in Progress" banner up to tell visitors what we're doing and how they too can join us to make a difference for our shores!
The seagrasses are thick all the way from the sand bar near the beacon to the high shore near the boardwalk. Also on the sand bar,
in the thick carpet of grass was an odd wiggly bare patch. Could it be a dugong feeding trail?.
Tuas (Singapore): 25 June 2009 http://www.seagrasswatch.org/gallery.html
This is the 2nd monitoring session in Tuas this year. Today the tide was really really really good and we could see many many many
marine creatures. As usual for the tuas site, we usually have a short recap of the monitoring technique to be used before we start
the monitoring. We were at first so worried about the weather as it was pouring yesterday but today it was fine! I must say the
seagrass growing near the fenceline were really big and fat and that is a good sign as it shows that the marine ecosystem is doing
pretty well in the Tuas area. After 30 mins of monitoring, we started our marine creature treasure hunt!
Goold Island (Qld, Australia): 23 June 2009 http:/ www.seagrasswatch.org/gallery.html
Girringun rangers, Traditional Owners and a couple Park's rangers and I visited Goold Island on Tuesday June 23, do some
seagrass monitoring. It was a great trip over in the barge. While we waited for the tide to drop we inspected some weed control work
that the rangers had been doing and looked at the fish trap. As low tide approached we went out and did our thing.
FROM HQ
Frequently Asked Questions http://www.seagrasswatch.org/faq.html
Seagrass-Watch News Issue 37 http://www.seagrasswatch.org/magazine.html
Seagrass-Watch Shop http://www.seagrasswatch.org/shop.html
Virtual Herbarium http://www.seagrasswatch.org/herbarium.html
Giveaways http:/ www.seagrasswatch.org/shop.html#GIVE1
www.seagrasswatch.org
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Future sampling dates http://www.seagrasswatch.org/sampling.html
Handy Seagrass Links http://www.seagrasswatch.org/links.html
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DISCLAIMER

News articles posted as a free community service for the purposes of non-commercial education, research and study; review and the reporting of news; and archived for reference of students and researchers as a 'fair dealing' activity under
Australian Copyright Law.

Seagrass-Watch HQ does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained in this bulletin. Seagrass-Watch HQ
recommends that readers exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of the information in this bulletin and that readers careful y evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the material in the bul etin for
their purposes. This bul etin is not a substitute for independent professional advice and users should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances. The material in this bulletin may include the views or
recommendations of third parties, which do not necessarily reflect the views of Seagrass-Watch HQ (or those of the Queensland Government) or indicate its commitment to a particular course of action.

Seagrass-Watch HQ is supported by the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts) represented in North Queensland by the Reef and
Rainforest Research Centre, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (part of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation) and by private
donations.

Seagrass-Watch E- Bulletin is compiled by Len McKenzie & Rudi Yoshida.

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