Mombasa, Kenya, March 3 (Swara)—Kenya marked World Seagrass Day 2025 on March 1 by outlining new measures to strengthen the protection of its coastal ecosystems. The government and conservation organisations recognised the vital role of seagrass meadows in climate mitigation, biodiversity, and livelihoods. They emphasised the urgency of preserving these fragile marine habitats, which face growing threats from human activity and climate change.
The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) is leading efforts to map and protect seagrass ecosystems, collaborating with the University of Oxford on the Large-Scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI). Supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the project aims to produce a comprehensive, field-verified map of Kenya’s seagrass coverage, which will inform national conservation strategies and align with Kenya’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Seagrass conservation initiatives extend beyond Kenya, with LaSMMI also active in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Partner organisations include Fauna & Flora, the East African Wild Life Society, and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Community-Based Conservation and Blue Carbon Initiatives
One of the flagship projects in Kenya’s seagrass conservation efforts is the Vanga Blue Forest (VBF) project, which promotes community-led protection and restoration of seagrass meadows and mangrove forests. The initiative enables local coastal communities to generate income by selling carbon credits derived from ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
Meanwhile, KMFRI’s Go-Blue Project has been assessing the vulnerability of marine ecosystems, including seagrass meadows, to climate change impacts like extreme temperatures and rising sea levels. Other regional projects include the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate, and Nature Program, which engages youth, women, and vulnerable communities in marine conservation.
The Significance of Seagrass Ecosystems
Seagrass meadows provide numerous ecological and economic benefits. They act as carbon sinks that capture atmospheric CO2 up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. They also stabilise coastlines, improve water quality, and support marine biodiversity by serving as breeding and nursery grounds for fish, sea turtles, and dugongs. Additionally, seagrass habitats sustain small-scale fisheries and contribute to food security for millions of coastal residents.
However, Kenya’s seagrass ecosystems are under threat. In 2018, the country’s seagrass coverage was estimated at 320 square kilometres, but habitat loss is accelerating. Studies show that the annual decline rate increased from 0.29% in 2000 to 1.59% in 2016. Major threats include destructive fishing practices, unregulated coastal tourism, overgrazing by sea urchins, pollution from agricultural runoff, and the impacts of climate change.
Strengthening Conservation Efforts
Kenya’s conservation strategy aligns with regional initiatives such as the Western Indian Ocean Coastal and Ocean Resilience (WIOCOR) project under the Great Blue Wall Initiative. This programme supports local seagrass conservation while promoting sustainable blue economy activities.
The United Nations established World Seagrass Day in May 2022 to raise awareness of the importance of seagrass ecosystems. On this year’s occasion, Kenyan conservationists urged continued investment in marine habitat protection, reinforcing the country’s commitment to safeguarding its seagrass meadows for future generations.
