SPONSORS:

The United Nations Environment Programme is the principal United Nations body in the field of the environment. Its role is to be the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. http://www.unep.org
	The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working for sustainable development: a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. This includes a better environment at home and internationally, and sustainable use of natural resources; economic prosperity through sustainable farming, fishing, food, water and other industries that meet consumers' requirements; thriving economies and communities in rural areas and a countryside for all to enjoy. http://www.defra.gov.uk/
The Department for International Development is the UK Government department working to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty. This publication is an output from a research program funded by DFID for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of DFID. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/
	The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, started in 1964, provides international and national support to non-profit organizations in conservation, science and many other areas. The foundation currently provides funding to SeagrassNet, a global seagrass monitoring program based at the University of New Hampshire. http://www.packard.org/, http://www.seagrassnet.org/
The Estuarine Research Federation (ERF) is a private, non-profit organization. The Federation was created in 1971 to address broad estuarine and coastal issues; it holds biannual international meetings and supports the scientific publication Estuaries. http://www.erf.org/
	The International Coral Reef Action Network is an innovative and dynamic global partnership of many of the world's leading coral reef science and conservation organizations. Established in 1999 to halt and reverse the decline of the health of the world's coral reefs the partnership draws on its partners' investments in reef monitoring and management to create strategically linked actions at local, national and global scales. http://icran.org/
The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for local, regional and national actions for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 135 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1230 wetland sites, totaling 105.9 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. http://ramsar.org/
	The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) was the first interdisciplinary body formed by the International Council for Science. SCOR activities focus on promoting international cooperation in planning and conducting oceanographic research. http://www.jhu.edu/~scor
The University of New Hampshire is a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant public institution with 10 000 undergraduate and 2 000 graduate students, and a well-established marine program. The Jackson Estuarine Laboratory is the primary marine research organization at UNH and has a strong seagrass research component. http://www.unh.edu/, http://marine.unh.edu/jel/home.html
	The World Seagrass Association is committed to the science, protection and management of the seagrass ecosystem worldwide. The members come from many countries and include leading scientists in marine and seagrass biology. The association supports training and information exchange and raises global awareness of seagrass science and environmental management issues. http://www.worldseagrass.org/