Li’an Port in Lingshui Li Autonomous County, Hainan Province, is home to rich seagrass resources and contains China’s first marine special protection area established primarily to protect seagrass beds. However, human activities, including land-based pollution, aquaculture, and unsustainable harvesting, have contributed to varying degrees of degradation and fragmentation of seagrass habitats.

Shan Shui is piloting seagrass restoration and community-based co-management in the lagoon surrounding Lingzai Village, Li’an Town, Lingshui County. In partnership with Duotan Wetlands Institute, the project combines active planting with natural recovery to explore restoration approaches suited to community participation. Protective fencing, patrols, and monitoring are being implemented to reduce human disturbance and support seagrass recovery.

The project actively encourages local villagers to participate in seagrass planting, routine patrols, and ecological monitoring. It also trains community patrol members to strengthen local understanding of the ecological value of seagrass beds and build community capacity for marine conservation.

Building on restoration outcomes, the project seeks to explore community development opportunities connected with local fishing culture, ecotourism, and distinctive local industries. The aim is to enable communities to share in the benefits of conservation and foster mutually reinforcing progress in marine conservation and sustainable community development.

To date, the project has completed active planting across 6 mu (0.4 hectares) of seagrass beds, while protective fencing has been installed in a further 50 mu (3.33 hectares) of seagrass habitat to support natural recovery. The project will continue to monitor restoration outcomes, deliver community outreach and environmental education, and provide community development training, with the aim of establishing a sustainable approach to seagrass conservation and community-based co-management.