The 1st International Workshop on Assessment of Seagrass Distribution in the NOWPAP Region was held on August 3, 2017 in Himi (Toyama,) Japan.
In the workshop, experts from the NOWPAP member states discussed the applicability and limit of detecting seagrass distribution by using satellite data, and develop a future workplan towards the assessment of seagrass distribution in the whole region.
Influenced by the current state of scientific knowledge, coastal blue forests ecosystems are starting to be integrated into national and regional policy and management across the globe. However, the state of blue carbon scientific knowledge in the NOWPAP Region is currently limited. Three pathways forward were discussed at the workshop, which could be pursued separately or concurrently:
1. Regulatory enforcement – Assessment of existing regulatory policies where the value of seagrass carbon can support conservation or other management goals.
2. A market-based mechanism – Carbon finance supporting the sustainable management and/or restoration of seagrass meadows.
3. An educational and awareness program – Improving the understanding of the value of seagrass meadows with the general public, management authorities, policy makers and other coastal stakeholders.
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