Information collected by rangers undertaking long-term monitoring programs (over intertidal seagrass meadows) and local Indigenous knowledge is being integrated with recently expanded scientific research and monitoring programs in the region.

Between 2018-2021, dramatic declines in seagrass condition were observed in western Torres Strait. Declines occurred across a range of intertidal reef-top, island and deep-water seagrass communities. Causes being investigated include changes in wind patterns affecting tidal exposure and sediment movement, increased dugong and green turtle feeding density, and seagrass disease. Localised declines were not detected elsewhere, and the condition of seagrass was found to be moderate to good in most areas.

Seagrass condition is affected by changes in environmental conditions (e.g., rainfall, wind, temperature, benthic light, tidal exposure), extreme events (e.g. cyclones, marine heat waves), migratory patterns and abundances of herbivores such as green turtle and dugong, and disease. These factors often interact and are being exacerbated by accelerating changes in climate.

Managing seagrass threats requires a system-level understanding of changes at local, regional, and global levels to ensure that actions are appropriately targeted (e.g., water quality improvement or controlling damaging human activity).

Any large-scale loss of seagrass meadows would have wide- ranging effects in Torres Strait and beyond. Impacts
would flow through the ecosystem, affecting species that are dependent on seagrass for habitat, food, and other ecosystem services. It would have far-reaching effects for island communities whose consumption of seafood is among the highest globally and whose Ailan Kastom is inextricably linked to the health of this habitat and the resources it supports.