Wildlife on Tap: The Global Importance of Seagrass Conservation

The Wildlife on Tap lecture series at Cape Cod Beer is a special event each winter where attendees can learn about wildlife over some fine beverages. Each presenter in the series is an expert in their field.

Seagrasses play a vital role in the health of our oceans and the well-being of coastal communities. They stabilize shorelines, protect against storm surges, purify water, support rich marine biodiversity, and provide nursery grounds for fish and shellfish that sustain global fisheries. Perhaps most critically in today's climate crisis, they also sequester carbon at rates comparable to - or even exceeding - terrestrial forests. Yet, these ecosystems are under growing threat. Coastal development, pollution, warming oceans, and rising sea levels are accelerating the loss of seagrass at an alarming rate. Without intervention, the consequences will be felt in collapsing fisheries, degraded coastlines, and lost opportunities for climate resilience.

Dr Agnes Mittermayr is the director of SeagrassNet, an international scientific network with a powerful mission: to monitor, understand, and protect the world's seagrass meadows. SeagrassNet responds to this crisis by bringing together scientists, local communities, students, and resource managers in a unified global effort.