Seagrass-Watch

Seagrass-Watch Seagrass-Watch: Global Seagrass Observing Network that partners scientists with citizens to accurately monitor the status and trends in seagrass condition.

Seagrass-Watch Global Seagrass Observing Network (established in 1998) accurately monitors the status and trends in seagrass condition. The network has conducted over 5700 assessments at 418 sites across 26 countries, involving thousands of dedicated participants. Seagrass-Watch is one of the largest long-term seagrass observing programs globally and is highly recognised for its scientific rigour.

Seagrass-Watch participants are from a wide variety of backgrounds. All share a common interest in marine conservation. Most participants are associated with universities & research institutions, government (local & state) or non-government organisations. Seagrass-Watch partners scientists with citizens, as people involved in the program develop a deep sense of custodianship and understanding of their local marine environments that reaches throughout the wider community. Coastal communities are concerned about the condition and loss of seagrasses in their regions and are keen to play a primary information-gathering role and work in partnership with management agencies. To protect the valuable seagrass meadows along our coasts, everyone must work together.

In mid-2026, the Seagrass-Watch HQ team had the opportunity to travel to Japan on a reconnaissance trip to observe seagr...
05/09/2026

In mid-2026, the Seagrass-Watch HQ team had the opportunity to travel to Japan on a reconnaissance trip to observe seagrass diversity across a range of coastal locations. šŸŒŠ

From the subtropical waters of the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa to the temperate coastlines of Honshu, the journey took us through a remarkable variety of coastal environments ā€” from sheltered bays and reef flats to diverse seagrass meadows.

We are grateful for the opportunity to visit these remarkable coastal environments and to contribute observations that help build a greater understanding of seagrass diversity across our shared oceans.

Over the coming weeks, weā€™ll be sharing some of what we encountered along the way ā€” the places we visited and the seagrass species we observed. šŸŒ±

Join us for a glimpse into the diversity of Japanā€™s seagrass meadows, one location at a time. šŸŒ±

šŸ“ Hoshizuna Beach, Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan


22/04/2026

Yule Point seagrass recovery: March 2026, seagrass at Yule Point has recovered to a GOOD state. This recovery comes after a decline from Good (October 2023) to a POOR state in August 2024 (8 months after a flood event caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper).

Numerous dugong grazing trails were also observed

12/04/2026

Seagrass on Green Island remains in a GOOD state (March 2026), after declining from Good to Fair in early 2024 due to Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

There are extensive seagrass meadows on the reef flat and in the waters surrounding Green Island covering an area of 152 hectares with at least 9 species identified. Green Island is a green (no fishing) zone of the GBRMP, and a dugong and turtle feeding ground.

07/04/2026

Wellington Point (Moreton Bay, QLD) intertidal monitoring sites are dominated by Zostera muelleri with some Halophila ovails.

Overall seagrass abundance is in a FAIR state (February 2026).

03/01/2026

As we usher in 2026, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers who generously dedicated their time to assist with data collection (monitoring and mapping) of seagrass as part of the Global Seagrass Observing Network in 2025.

We also want to thank GBRF, SPREP, GIZ, and others for their invaluable support in assisting in the delivering Seagrass-Watch training to communities both in Australia and internationally.

The Global Network has successfully established new sites in Mozambique, Fiji, and Australia. Our monitoring and mapping efforts have continued, made possible by the dedication of volunteers and participants across the globe.

We sincerely appreciate each and every one of you for your steadfast commitment to monitoring, conserving, and raising awareness about seagrass. Thank you!

We couldnā€™t fit it all into one video, but here are some of the highlights.

#2025 #2026

02/12/2025

Seagrass recovery continues at Urangan, Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia

The seagrass abundance at UG site 1 is highest it has been in a decade. Seagrass abundance at UG site 2 has seen a slight decline from last year (when abundance was the highest in 2 decades). Overall, the seagrass at Urangan is in a FAIR state.

25/11/2025

Pelican Bay seagrass in a Good state (improved). Pelican Bay site 1 seagrass abundance is the highest in 20 years.

16/11/2025

Seagrass at the Pioneer Bay long-term monitoring site 1 (PI1) is dominated by Zostera muelleri and was in a GOOD state, with numerous dugong grazing trails, during the teamā€™s recent visit in October 2025. The intertidal seagrass meadows at Pioneer Bay (Cannonvale) cover approximately 60ha and are favoured dugong and turtle feeding grounds. The multispecies meadows are comprised of varying proportions of Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis and Zostera muelleri.


14/11/2025

Seagrass continues it's recovery at Sarina Inlet, with large patches of Zostera muelleri with Halodule uninervis and Halophila ovalis covering the intertidal banks. Numerous dugong grazing trails were also observed during the teamā€™s recent visit in October 2025.


21/10/2025

NEW PUBLICATION: ā€˜A global assessment of dugong status and conservation needsā€™, comprises eleven chapters, each written by the listed co-authors.

šŸ‘‰Link https://www.seagrasswatch.org/elibrary/

Address

Seagrass-Watch HQ, PO Box 4
Clifton Beach, QLD

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:45pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:45pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:45pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:45pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:45pm

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