The First Meeting of the Regional Working Group on Seagrass: Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand (SCS SAP Project)

The First Meeting of the Regional Working Group on Seagrass (RWG-SG) for the SCS SAP Project took place via teleconference on December 3, 2021. The RWG-SG is responsible for coordinating the work of National Seagrass Committees and ensuring the effective implementation of project activities towards achieving the seagrass management targets of the project. The overall objective is the conservation, management, and sustainable use of 15,848 hectares of known seagrass area in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The specific objectives of this inaugural meeting included: formally establishing the RWG-SG membership and electing its officers; presenting and discussing the SAP targets for seagrass and selected sites ; presenting compiled information on the status of SAP implementation between 2008-2020 ; discussing the national revisions to targets and sites ; and reviewing execution arrangements and workplans for 2021-2022. The meeting also focused on agreeing to the Provisional Terms of Reference for the working group. This meeting was a crucial step in translating regional and national planning efforts into on-the-ground action for seagrass conservation. Key follow-up actions agreed upon included submitting pending National Implementation Reports (NIRs) and reconfirming national focal points.

 First RWG-SEAGRASS FULL MEETING REPORT