Our Work
Seagrass meadows are ecosystems widely recognised for their potential role in climate change mitigation. Unfortunately, these unique ecosystems are rapidly declining on a global scale
In Hong Kong, the of Seagrass present in coastal waters are experiencing large-scale degradation and loss.
To preserve these valuable ecosystems, we aim to enhance the resilience and recovery of local seagrasses through innovative restoration approaches.
Such efforts involve:
Planting seagrasses or assisting in their transplantation
Nursery of plants and
harvest seeds
Recovery of Seagrass Habitats
Active monitoring of natural populations of seagrasses to understand their ecological dynamics
Monitor restored and newly planted meadows to track survival and ecosystem recovery
These activities are challenging and require a multidisciplinary team with expertise in areas such as ecological restoration, biogeochemistry, ecological economy, among others.
Learn more
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Dr Katie Watson, Postdoctoral Fellow,
The University of HK
Mar 2025
The reduction of our carbon footprint is one of the cornerstones of Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG). Researchers from HKU’s Swire Institute of Marine Science and the HK Seagrass Restoration Association are working together on one of the key blue carbon ecosystems – Seagrasses. Dr Katie Watson explains in this video why restoring seagrasses is so important and what work is being done in Hong Kong.
Restoring Seagrasses:
A Key Strategy for Reducing Carbon Footprint in Hong Kong
Jun 2020
Healthy seagrasses provide a source of opportunities to mitigate climate change, adapt to future changes, build resilience and offer multiple additional societal benefits. We need to act now to protect seagrasses by prioritising timely, ambitious and coordinated actions in the areas of conservation, sustainable management and restoration.
Environmental Justice Foundation
Blue carbon: a golden climate mitigation opportunity
7 Mar 2023
As we face up to global warming, the world must recognize that preserving the vast reservoirs of blue carbon in coastal and marine environments is vital for avoiding catastrophic climate breakdown.
The COP26 climate talks in November 2021 are arguably the most important meeting for generations. They will either set us on the road to a sustainable future for humanity, or towards conflict, suffering and mass extinctions.
EJF calls for world leaders to:
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Recognize the critical importance of our ocean and blue carbon in the fight against the climate emergency.
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Include specific, legally binding targets to protect and restore blue carbon environments in their updated Nationally Determined Contribution implementation plans, under the Paris Agreement.
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Commit to the 30x30 ocean protection plan and designate at least 30% of the ocean – including ecologically representative areas – as fully or highly protected marine protected areas by 2030.
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Implement an international moratorium on deep sea mining to protect the deep sea from irreversible, large-scale harm.
Project Seagrass
- 5 amazing things seagrass does for our planet
1 Mar 2023
It’s #WorldSeagrassDay!🌊🌱 Here's a small reminder from
@ProjectSeagrass
of why seagrass is so amazing