World Seagrass Conference and 13th International Seagrass Biology Workshop

 

Singapore, 18 June 2018 – Dr. Donna Kwan from the CMS Dugong MOU Secretariat attended the World Seagrass Conference (WSC) and 13th International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW13) held from 11 to 17 June at the National University of Singapore in Singapore.  The event was hosted by the World Seagrass Association, and supported by DHI Water & Environment, the National Parks Board of Singapore, and the National University of Singapore.

Inspired by the need to engage in an effective conversation on seagrass science and develop better conservation policies, the overarching theme of the event was ‘Translating Science into Action’. Through plenary talks and workshops, ISBW13 covered the themes of seagrass ecology and biology, community awareness, faunal interactions, and restoration and management.

This was an important networking opportunity for the Dugong MOU Secretariat, as it provided an opportunity to meet face-to-face with a number of the Dugong Technical Group as well as seagrass scientists from all around the world.  Dr. Alana Grech, of the Dugong Technical Group, was a plenary speaker at WSC and gave an interesting talk on seagrasses in the Anthropocene and the impacts human activities have on the connectivity of tropical seagrass habitats. An engaging plenary by Dr Jillian Ooi, of the University of Malaya, discussed how the conservation of seagrass is often overshadowed by coral reefs in terms of funding opportunities and public awareness. To overcome this, Dr. Ooi suggested using high profile species such as dugongs as a seagrass flagship species by studying its use of these meadows as feeding grounds. She further emphasized on the use of ecosystem service-focused studies to grow support for seagrass conservation.

 The event offered a platform to discuss how to take on the key challenges that seagrass habitats face in the future. The host country, Singapore, served as an example of how countries with coastal developments exert pressure on seagrass and marine habitats. This heavily urbanized island also provided a case study on environmental management and how countries can adopt practices that find a balance between development and conservation of natural resources.

The delegates had an opportunity to hear first-hand the current research, conservation and management issues related to seagrass from global seagrass experts.  The event helped participants learn about the changing face of seagrass science communication and identify opportunities for collaboration for seagrass conservation. 

 

 

Last updated on 20 June 2018