Seagrass-Watch Magazine Issue 47 - March 2013 | Page 6

There is still some way to go if as scientists and citizens we are to
slow and finally stop seagrass decline. We have constructed
approaches to help us identify those threats to seagrass of most
significance, but now we need to develop processes to identify
solutions. These processes and solutions will vary but at a
fundamental level will require a greater awareness of the
importance of seagrass resources and the consequences of their
loss. An effective way forward would involve improving
community involvement in conservation efforts; developing
sustained, long term incentives to protect seagrasses; providing
basic information on seagrass ecosystems to inform (sciencebased) decision-making; and developing stronger policy and
regulations for the protection and conservation of seagrass
ecosystems (as well as the institutional capacity to implement
them).
By working with both scientists and local stakeholders we can
influence and advocate as effectively as possible the politicians,
management agencies, catchment groups, city managers and the
vast array of bureaucracies involved in planning and managing
human coastal activities. To protect the valuable seagrass
meadows along our coasts, we must work together.

This is a highly edited extract of the results from:
Grech, A., Chartrand-Miller, K., Erftemeijer, P., Fonseca, M., McKenzie, L.,
Rasheed, M., Taylor, H. and Coles, R. (2012). A comparison of threats,
vulnerabilities and management approaches in global seagrass bioregions.
Environmental Research Letters 7(2): 024006 (8pp) doi:10.1088/17489326/7/2/024006
Grech, A., Coles, R. and Marsh, H. (2011). A broad-scale assessment of the risk
to coastal seagrasses from cumulative threats. Marine Policy 35: 560–567

References
1. Duarte & Chiscano (1999) Aquat. Bot. 65, 159-174
2. Zieman & Wetzel (1980) Handbook of Seagrass Biology, An Ecosystem Prospective
3. Waycott et al (2009) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 106: 12377-12381
4. Short et al (2011) Biological Conservation 144: 1961–1971
5. Agardy et al (2005) MA Chpt 19 In Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Current State and Trends, Book 1
6. Orth et al (2006) BioScience 56: 987-996
7. Short et al. (2007) JEMBE 350: 3-20
8. Halpern et al (2007) Conserv Biol 21:1301–1315

Shore seine fishing
Beach or shore seine nets have been used in fisheries for several thousand years and on
every continent. Shore seine fishing is common in India's northern Palk Bay region. The
nets are used in depths of 0.5 - 2.5m, with an average net mesh size of 7.5 cm. A typical
beach seine has weights attached to the leadline at the bottom of the net and buoys or
floats attached to the floatline at the top of the net. The downward force of the weights
counteracted by the buoyancy of the floats keeps the net open vertically when it is pulled
through the water to entrap fish. A beach seine is often set from shore to encircle a school
of fish. To set the net, a boat pulls one end on the net out to sea (approximately 400-500m
from shore), then makes a half circle, bringing the net back in to shore. Groups of 6-12
people, then pull both ends, reeling the net in (at times, taking up to 3 hours). Reeling the
heavily weighted net, scrapes the sea floor, causing direct physical impact to the seagrass
meadows Shore seines operate throughout the year, collecting juvenile fish and
invertebrate from seagrass meadows.
VB

Source: Balaji, V. Seasonal variation of fish assemblage in the seagrass beds of Northern Palk Bay.

VB

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