Seagrass ecosystem conservation in Southeast Asia needs to link science to policy and practice

The challenge of designing effective policies for seagrass conservation in Southeast Asia is rendered even more complex by the urgent need to promote the three preconditions for a stronger science-policy-practice linkage. First, seagrass science has to be relevant. Second, that science has to be considered relevant and third, policy-making has to be open and receptive for scientific advice and public scrutiny. A new truly coordinated and functional regional program is needed aimed at: (a) establishing the principles by which seagrass ecosystems can be protected and their services maintained in the future. (b) regulating practices, which result in the destruction of seagrasses. (c) maintaining and enhancing seagrass ecosystems, and (d) establishing and promoting the interconnections of seagrass with the other coastal ecosystems as a basis of stakeholder integration and cohesion. The social and environmental 'crisis' coastal ecosystems face in Southeast Asia is forcing governments to increase awareness of the need for seagrass protection, adaptive management and monitoring.