On October 28, 2024, WIOMSA launched a new publication, “Seagrass in Tanzania: Guidelines to Support Restoration,” during the kick-off meeting for the Seagrass Mapping and Management (SWIM2) Project in Zanzibar, Tanzania. This comprehensive guide aims to bolster restoration efforts for seagrass meadows in Tanzania and the broader Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, particularly in areas where these vital ecosystems have suffered degradation in both intertidal and subtidal zones.
The guidelines provide detailed procedures for selecting a restoration site, choosing suitable seagrass species and implementing effective planting methods or techniques to enhance the survival rates of planted seagrasses and ensure successful restoration outcomes. The guidelines, enhanced with pictorial illustration for each step, augment the existing Guidelines on SeaGrass Ecosystem Restoration for the WIO Region, serving as an invaluable resource for practitioners in the field.
This publication is one of the key outcomes of the WIOMSA-funded Marine Science for Management (MASMA) program, specifically stemming from the project titled “Ecosystem-based protection of the coastal zone: the effectiveness of the seagrass meadows in coastal erosion management.”
At the launch, the lead author and principal investigator of the project, Dr. Blandina Lugendo noted that the publication is the result of extensive years of research, embodying valuable lessons on various restoration techniques derived from scientific inquiry. She emphasized the importance of incorporating scientific knowledge into restoration practices, stressing that evidence-based information is crucial for effective environmental recovery.
Access the guidelines here.
