Objective 7: From Science to Action – Recommendations for Seagrass Protection and Management

Aim

To evaluate how seagrass restoration and conservation measures contribute to sustainable coastal management by assessing numerous ecosystem services – regulatory (e.g. coastal protection, carbon storage), provisioning (e.g. fisheries support), and cultural (e.g. recreation, heritage). The goal is to determine what type of information and tools decision-makers need in order to integrate seagrass management into broader development and climate strategies.

 

Methods

We will organise an interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder workshop bringing together scientists, policymakers, fishers, tourism operators, NGOs, and community representatives. Using participatory approaches – including breakout groups, plenary sessions, and scenario discussions – we will explore policy-relevant alternatives provided by ecosystem-based 

measures and seagrass conservation.

 

Output

The process will deliver:

• A decision-making visualisation tools that allows stakeholders to compare management options, their ecological outcomes, and socio-economic impacts.

• A set of best practices and recommendations for the protection, restoration, and long-term management of seagrass meadows in Mauritius.

• Guidance for scaling ecosystem-based coastal management into national policies, regional frameworks, and international climate commitments.

 

Why this matters

By grounding recommendations in scientific evidence and local perspectives, this objective ensures that restoration is not just an isolated activity, but part of a sustainable coastal management strategy. The outcome will be a roadmap for policymakers and communities alike – making seagrass protection central to climate resilience, food security, and sustainable development in Mauritius.