Seagrasses are submerged marine flowering plants that are found in shallow waters in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. They exist in at least 159 countries on six continents, covering over 300,000 km2, forming extensive underwater meadows which also known as sea beds and providing valuable ecosystem services that contribute to the health of ecosystems, human well-being, and coastal communities. They have been considered as the lungs of the seas. Because they evolved from life in the ocean, to land, and back to the sea, creating vast marine meadows.
Nearly 30% of the world's seagrass meadows have already been lost, and the rate of decline has accelerated since the 1930s. With the most recent census estimating that 7 per cent of this key marine habitat is being lost worldwide per year which is equivalent to two football fields of seagrass lost every 30 minutes. Seagrass resources are abundant in regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and coastal East and West Africa, and a day of global recognition and outreach activities is the first step towards bringing them into the collective consciousness of the world. This international day is an opportunity for everyone to translate international commitments into the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement. Without healthy, regenerating marine ecosystems, a resilient and net zero world is not possible.
Hence, The Government of Sri Lanka and the World Seagrass Association have called on the United Nations to recognize the importance of seagrass meadows to the health and well-being of the planet, as well as the people, communities, flora, and fauna that rely on them.
At the 74th plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly held on 23rd May 2022 has declared the 1st of March as the World Seagrass Day by adopting a resolution which was submitted by Sri Lanka and co-sponsored by 24 countries. This is a landmark achievement for Sri Lanka at the UN.
In this respect, Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Blue Resource Trust and some other key stakeholder agencies were organized the national event to commemorate the 1st World Seagrass Day on 1st March 2023 at the Ministry of Environment under the patronage of Hon. Minister of Environment Eng. Naseer Ahamed. A special commemorative stamp cover was issued at this national event to memorialize the 1st World Seagrass Day. Hon. Minister of Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardana, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary of Ministry of Environment and foreign delegates represented Embassies of Sri Lanka were participated the National event. Guest Speech was delivered by Mr. Susantha Udagedara, Seagrass Expert, Director, Blue Resource Trust and special remark was delivered by Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri, Advisor to the Government of Sri Lanka.
