A bald eagle rests on seagrass beds exposed by low tide.

Green turtles graze upon turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum).

A Bahamian sea star in a meadow of turtle grass.

Sea urchins on turtle grass.

Bonnethead shark swimming over seagrasses.

Turtle grass

Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme)

Johnson's seagrass (Halophila johnsonii)

Star grass (Halophila engelmannii)

Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii)

This dwarf seahorse blends effectively along a bed of macroalgae and holding onto a blade of manatee grass.

A yellow spotted sting ray hides in turtle grass.

Scallops are an important recreational species that relies on seagrasses.

Sponges and manatee grass.

Despite heavy algal growth, a French angel and jackknife shelter in a seagrass bed. 

Aerial view of propeller scars. 

Underwater view of a propeller scar
Photo: Harold Hudson

When the root systems are broken and there is a depression greater than 20 cm, the scar needs to be filled in.

A blowout created by a boat motor.

The channel and prop scars from boats leaving the channel are easily visible from the air.
Photo: Amy Massey

Shallow seagrass scars can often be restored by placing bird stakes along the scars to recruit birds.

Measuring the depth of a propeller scar helps managers determine the best type of restoration.

Quadrats are used at each station to ensure that the same area is being measured.

A close-up view of seagrass blades in the quadrat.

Measuring seagrass blades within a quadrat.