Seagrass meadows are among the most productive marine ecosystems, supporting welfare-significant species from seahorses to sea turtles, and are declining globally.
The loss of seagrass meadows destroys nursery habitat for juvenile fish and shelter for vulnerable species. Seahorses dependent on seagrass for anchorage, camouflage, and prey have few alternative habitats. Sea turtles graze seagrass as a primary food source. The welfare implications of habitat loss extend to individual animals that die or suffer from starvation and predation exposure when structural habitat disappears. Restoration directly improves the welfare prospects of habitat-dependent species.