16/04/2026
Seagrasses are gaining the attention they deserve and SoAF is at the forefront of this momentum.
SoAF is participating in the ongoing Large-scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI) conference from 16 ā 17 April 2026 in Maputo. This engagement reflects SoAFās growing contribution to the regional seagrass research and conservation agenda, with its researchersā .rl and joining counterparts from across the Western Indian Ocean to review project progress, share experiences, address emerging challenges and discussing the way forward. The conference convenes experts from countries where LaSMMI is being implemented, including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
Briefly, LaSMMI is a collaborative effort led by The Pew Charitable Trusts, WIOMSA, the University of Southampton, and regional research institutions including to produce the first field-verified seagrass maps and carbon stock assessments for the Western Indian Ocean. By establishing robust baseline data, the initiative supports governments in strengthening coastal resilience and advancing climate action, while unlocking the benefits of seagrasses for climate mitigation and adaptation, livelihoods, food security, and biodiversity. This work builds on the Seychelles seagrass mapping and carbon assessment project, whose outputs informed national commitments to seagrass protection under the updated NDCs.
