BLUE Marine Foundation launches #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass campaign

Marine conservation charity BLUE Marine Foundation has partnered with the Maldives Underwater Initiative to launch #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass – a social media campaign that seeks to raise awareness about the importance and value of seagrass in the Maldives.

Seagrass is vital to the low-lying island nation of the Maldives and is one of the most valuable ecosystems on the planet: It protects beaches from erosion, absorbs carbon dioxide, creates a nursery habitat for fish and provides food for turtles. Despite this, however, seagrass is often removed in the Maldives to maintain the white sandy beaches and clear waters prized by the tourism industry.

To combat the problem, BLUE and the Maldives Underwater Initiative have joined forces on the #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass campaign. The charities are asking resorts across the country to pledge to protect a minimum of 80% of the seagrass around the island for the benefit of the environment, tourism, fisheries and the people who depend on it for jobs and income.

It is hoped that stakeholders will understand that thriving seagrass beds can provide an engaging eco-tourism experience while also benefitting the environment.

BLUE has set up a dedicated Twitter account that can be found via the handle @ResilientReefs. Individuals are encouraged to get involved with the campaign by tagging Resilient Reefs and using the hashtag #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass to promote the movement.

Resorts, businesses, organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can partner with BLUE and the Maldives Underwater Initiative by emailing [email protected]. Individuals who live locally or internationally can join the movement by registering their support. Currently, over 700 people worldwide have signed up.

Seagrass facts

• Blue Carbon: Estimates suggest some seagrass meadows hold as much carbon in their soil as one to two hectares of temperate forest
• Oxygen: Just one hectare of seagrass can produce 100,000 litres of oxygen each day
• Threatened Species: Almost 15% of seagrass species are considered threatened – and for each threatened species of seagrass there are 10 associated species that are also of conservation concern

For more information, visit BLUE Marine Foundation. Sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Yachting Pages delivered direct to your inbox every month.