The giant freshwater whipray Urogymnus polylepis is a threatened species that is vulnerable to riverine and coastal marine pressures. Despite its threatened status, the range of U. polylepis is still being determined. In this study, photographic evidence of U. polylepis in Myanmar was provided through market surveys (2017-2018) and social media (Sharks and Rays of Rakhine Facebook page, 2021). Urogymnus polylepis is exposed to fisheries and habitat degradation pressures in Myanmar; therefore, conservation management is likely needed to ensure populations persist into the future.

Seagrass surveys were conducted at 9 study sites, in the southern Rakhine Coastal Region, to assess the species diversity, percent cover and extent of seagrasses for the better understanding of the current status and suitability of seagrass meadows for MPA designation. Among 9 study sites, except for Ma Gyi and Pho Htaung, the remaining 7 sites such as Tharthanar Dauk, Ngwe Saung, Wet Thay, Baw Di, Chan Pyin, Yay Myet Taung and Gyaing Kauk were newly recorded sites in the present surveys. There are two types of seagrass habitats: 1) intertidal habitats, mainly in shallow rock-pools at Baw Di and Yay Myet Taung; and 2) predominantly subtidal habitats at the remaining study sites. In the present surveys, a total of 10 species of seagrasses, namely Syringodiumisoetifolium, Cymodoceaserrulata, C. rotundata, Haloduleuninervis, H. pinifolia, Enhalusacoroides, Thalassiahemprichii, Halophilabeccarii, H. decipiensand H. major had been recorded. Among these, only one, Halophilabeccarii is was listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN RedList, while all other species were listed as Least Concern. Halophilabeccarii was only recorded at Pho Htaung. Halodulepinifolia was the most commonly observed species which was found in the remaining eight study sites. Pho Htaung, with the highest number of species (10 species) and coverage (66.9%), and as the only site to contain the Vulnerable Halophilabeccarii, should be assigned to a Marine Protected Area (MPA), as well as along with Ma Gyi and Chan Pyin given their high species diversity and coverage.

Seagrasses provide ecological services to marine organisms that contribute towards food security and economic benifits to local communities living around their meadows. Surveys on seagrass taxonomy, distribution and extent were carried out in Myanmar in 14 sites within the Myeik Archipelago and along the Rakhine coast to assess the status of these important habitats. This study follows the guidelines of taxonomic monographs and the SeagrassNet manual to survey species diversity, percent cover and extent. A total of 11 species of seagrasses were recorded, including Syringodium isoetifolium, Cymodocea rotundata, C. serrulata, Halodule uninervis, H. pinifolia, Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila beccarii, H. decipiens, H. ovalis and H. major. Of these, Halophila pinifolia was the most commonly observed species and the only one to be distributed across all 14 study sites. In contrast, Halophila beccarii was only recorded at Ma Gyi along the Rakhine coast. Other uniquie species distributions include Halophila major which was solely found along the Rakhine coast and H. ovalis which was exclusively encountered along the Myeik Archipelago. The habitat types of seagrasses between the two Coastal Regions were also found to be differred with seagrass meadows in Taninthayi most commonly observed in coastal intertidal habitat whereas those in Rakhine were recorded in the fringing reef and deep subtidal habitat. In terms of species diversity among the 14 study sites, Ma Gyi Gyaing and Pho Htaung Gyaing showed the highest in Rakhine with 9 species each while Zar Det Ngye I (East) and Pa Law Kar Kyan I in Taninthayi contained 7 species each. Highest percentage cover of seagrass meadows was observed at Maung Shwe Lay Gyaing, in Rakhine with 67.00% and the highest coverage in Taninthayi at Lampi I (East) with 64.57%. Given the environmental services provided by seagrasses their protection within Myanmar is critical. All areas should be granted a certain level of protection although priotiry firstly needs to be given to Ma Gyi Gyaing in Rakhine given its species diversity, being the only site to conatin the Vulnerable listed Halophila beccarii species and beacsue of its high percent cover. Such an area should be gazzetted as a Marine Protected Area ( [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Their importance to Myanmar fishers is well known with local people calling seagrasses Leik-Sar-Phat-Myet, meaning the food of marine turtles. In addition, the seagrass meadows are known to serve as important feeding grounds for the sea cow, Dugong dugon which is recognized as endangered species under the IUCN Red list. Given their importance, both ecologically and economically, and the global decline in segarss beds, the protection of seagrasses within Myanmar is seen as paramount. The objective of this study was to know the updated information on the current status of biodiversity, distribution and coverage of seagrasses at select sites within the Taninthayi and the Rakhine Coastal Regions of Myanmar. This information will be used to...