The study was conducted in the recently established local marine conservation area in North Minahasa Regency of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, which was formally established in July 2023. The purpose of this study is to investigate seagrass diversity and coverage and derive management recommendations. Data collection was conducted using the line-quadrat transect method, comprising three transects, each 50 m in length, spaced 25 m apart. The study identified nine seagrass species: Halodule pinifolia, Halodule uninervis, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila ovalis, and Halophila minor. The coverages of the seagrass at eleven observation stations were between 20.83 and 80.49%. The highest cover is at the LM10 station with a cover percentage of 80.49% or is included in the very dense category which is dominated by the species of seagrass T. hemprichii at 54.17%, the seagrass cover with the lowest percentage is at the LM07 station with a percentage of cover of 20.83% or included in the rare category which is dominated by the species of seagrass E. acoroides at 13.07%. Despite relatively dense conditions at several locations, the overall ecological status falls within the “unhealthy” category based on national standards. These findings indicate an urgent need for adaptive strategies to prevent further degradation of seagrass habitats within the marine conservation area.
