Seagrasses, found in the intertidal and subtidal regions of most continents, provide numerous ecosystem goods and services. Although many studies emphasize the ecological importance of seagrasses, research on the benefits perceived by society remains sparse. The Andaman Islands, with their rich culture, history, and biodiversity, offer an ideal setting to analyse local perceptions and understanding of the seagrass meadows.

This study, conducted through on-site semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders and personal observations analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively (via thematic analysis), revealed a significant gap in understanding the services provided by seagrasses. Although the island inhabitants exhibit considerable ecological knowledge, particularly recognising seagrass ecosystems (74.74% of respondents), this awareness is influenced by factors such as proximity, frequency of visits, and activities undertaken in the meadows. Notably, 59.42% of participants who were born and raised on the islands showed higher proficiency in identifying seagrass ecosystems.

Contrary to findings in other Indian regions where seagrasses have direct uses in ethnomedicine, consumption, and as animal fodder, the study notes a lack of direct utilisation of seagrasses in the Andaman Islands. Instead, their indirect contribution to fisheries is acknowledged, with 67.61% of respondents recognising seagrasses as habitats for various marine organisms, including fish, turtles, and invertebrates. The study also identifies several anthropogenic threats to seagrass health, including boat anchoring, oil spills, sewage discharge, plastic waste, increased tourism, and boat traffic. Previous studies have indicated that we are losing seagrass cover at the rate of 0.95% every year. With the increasing developmental activities in the islands, there may be a potential threat to these systems and hence this study could be essential in highlighting the importance of these ecosystems.

The study concludes that the understanding of seagrasses among different stakeholders is not uniform. These systems are largely visible to communities like the fisherfolk who frequently interact with them. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the existing knowledge of seagrasses in the region which will help create awareness programs and outreach activities to contribute to the conservation efforts.