How is seagrass protected?

1. Legislation

* Federal

* Clean Water Act: Protects water quality in the United States.

* Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act: Manages fisheries in the United States.

* National Environmental Policy Act: Requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impact of their actions.

* State

* Coastal Zone Management Act: Manages land use in coastal areas.

* Seagrass Conservation Act: Protects seagrass beds from damage.

* Local

* Zoning: Regulates land use in local areas.

* Shoreline protection ordinances: Protect shorelines from erosion.

2. Conservation

* Habitat protection

* Create marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect seagrass beds from fishing, dredging, and other damaging activities.

* Restore degraded seagrass beds.

* Water quality improvement

* Reduce pollution from land-based sources.

* Control sewage discharge.

* Promote sustainable agriculture practices.

* Habitat restoration

* Restore seagrass beds that have been lost to disease, natural disasters, or human activities.

* Plant new seagrass seedlings.

3. Education

* Educate the public about the importance of seagrass beds.

* Raise awareness of the threats seagrasses face.

* Promote sustainable practices that protect seagrass beds.