The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), in collaboration with The Pew Charitable Trusts and the University of Southampton, has launched the Large-Scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI) to create the first verified seagrass map across Kenya, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Mozambique, and Madagascar.
Seagrass meadows are critical coastal habitats that support biodiversity, and play a significant role in carbon sequestration. Despite their importance, seagrasses remain among the least studied and most threatened marine ecosystems. The LaSMMI project will leverage satellite imagery analysis and field verification techniques to produce highly accurate maps of these vital habitats. Seagrass will be mapped in shallow water environments found along a combined coastline of more than 9,500 km (6000 mi), and spread across more than 2 million sq km (800,000 sq miles) of sea area.
“Seagrasses are the unsung heroes of our oceans—vital for marine life, coastal communities, and the fight against climate change,” said Dr. Arthur Tuda, Executive Director of WIOMSA. “Yet, they remain among the least understood and least protected ecosystems. Through the LaSMMI project, we are unlocking the power of science and collaboration to bring seagrasses into the spotlight, ensuring they are mapped, valued, and safeguarded. By bridging global data with local action, we are shaping a future where seagrasses are not just seen, but actively protected as a cornerstone of ocean health and resilience.”
LaSMMI is a comprehensive effort to enhance seagrass research and policy integration, with multiple key objectives:
- Creating a standardized, field-verified seagrass map by the end of 2026.
- Assessing carbon stock values across the region to support climate strategies.
- Strengthening local research capacity through training and workshops on data collection, analysis, and field verification.
- Raising national and regional awareness about seagrass conservation and its role in climate mitigation.
- Strengthening policy linkages by incorporating seagrass data into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, marine spatial planning, and management and sustainability frameworks.
LaSMMI partner research institutions include the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, the University of Dar es Salaam and the State University of Zanzibar (Tanzania), Eduardo Mondlane University (Mozambique), and the University of Toliara – Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (Madagascar).
“I started out my career in the late 1990’s as a seagrass scientist with the big vision of putting little known seagrasses on the Kenyan map. The LaSMMI project is a long-awaited initiative for us in Kenya and it will fulfil my vision for this critical ecosystem,” said Dr. Jacqueline Uku, Principal Research Scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). “I am awed by all the opportunities that this project presents in raising the next generation of seagrass scientists.”
LaSMMI follows on the success of the Seychelles Seagrass Mapping and Carbon Assessment project that developed the first field verified seagrass map and carbon stock assessment for that country and helped to inform Seychelles’ commitment to protect all seagrass meadows in their 2021 NDC.
“LaSMMI represents a crucial step toward ensuring the Western Indian Ocean’s coastal ecosystems are recognized, protected, and integrated into global climate strategies,” said project lead Dr. Gwilym Rowlands, Associate Professor for marine conservation and management at the University of Southampton. “By bridging the gap between science and policy, this initiative will drive meaningful conservation actions that benefit both marine biodiversity and coastal communities.”
