Seagrass-Watch: increasing the charisma of seagrass through education and awareness

Despite their important ecological role, the public’s perception of seagrasses is not as great as other marine ecosystems. With global seagrass losses reported to be equivalent to one football field very 30 minutes, seagrass ecosystems are facing a crisis, and there is a critical need for a targeted global conservation effort that includes informing regulators and the public of the value of seagrass meadows. Since its inception in 1998, the global participatory monitoring program Seagrass-Watch has been attempting to address this "charisma gap". Apart from scientific monitoring, Seagrass-Watch's objectives are to educate and raise awareness in the general community of coastal management issues and support conservation measures which will ensure the long-term resilience of seagrass ecosystems. Seagrass-Watch does this via a variety of extension tools ranging from social media (e.g., YouTube, face book, twitter) to on-ground interaction.  Outreach tools such as Field and Education Days enhance the basic knowledge of students, and the general community through “hands-on” activities and demonstrations. Training workshops enhance skills and build the capacity of adults to participate in monitoring seagrass status. Conventional tools such as media and brochures, and novel tools such as festivals and the Arts (paintings and performance) capture a wider audience. The most effective tools are a comprehensive website and the production of a glossy magazine which not only illustrates the beauty of seagrass ecosystems, but translates scientific understanding of seagrass ecosystems into public awareness.