Synthesis of the Conference on Management and Conservation of Seagrass Ecosystems in India

Seagrass has not yet received the necessary attention in Indian research and policies, a major reason for its decline in Indian coastal waters. A conference held in New Delhi, India, in July 2016, aimed to address this lacunae by bringing together renowned national and international seagrass experts. The conference dealt with the status, ecosystem services, and conservation and management options for seagrass. This paper integrates the discussions and recommendations from the conference. Recommendations included, among many others, suggestion for a National Action Plan with an ecosystem approach for seagrass conservation and management in India.