DUGONG MONITORING UNIT
Due to a lack of knowledge within the islands about the species, the dugong remains a mysterious sea creature. The Dugongs are located in different places of the Andaman and Nicobar islands and can be spotted sporadically. This non-aggressive gentle creature is related to the elephant family and grows to 2-5 meters.
The Dugong is related to its Pacific cousin the Manatee and both have been in existence before man, yet its future is in doubt. The lack of knowledge on the islands about Dugongs and the continuous killing of Dugongs by local fisherman have elevated these concerns.
Our aim is to develop a Dugong Monitoring Unit (DMU) for the species by determining the size of the population, and the species distribution. The project is aimed to develop a mapping system of the sea grass bed areas on the island, as they represent the main feeding grounds for Dugongs. We should establish a baseline data on the animal, this project entails months of field studies in very remote areas. The project will identify the area family groups of the Dugong frequent. By examining the trends that could be the reason for the demise of the Dugong, give us the first indicators for the solutions to reversing the possible extinction of this species on the islands.
We have established ourselves as a valid Marine conservation NGO on the islands and this is part and package of the overall work.
The ongoing encroachment of land by the local communities need to be addressed and must take part in active and engaged conservation practices, otherwise the areas will become over run by other activities which will be detrimental to the survival of the rare and elusive Dugong. This project is deemed urgent due to the serious population decline configured by the lack of sightings.
The Dugong Project
20.1.08
What are the objectives of this project?
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1.To understand why 10 years ago it was quite easy to see the Dugong and why today if you are lucky, you can document only one sighting per year the objective is to determine the reasons:
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•Poaching
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•Poisoning from insecticides or fertilizers
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•Negative fishing techniques
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•Pollution from local industries
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2.To give the findings and put a stop to it by developing a protection program for the Dugong and its frequenting areas.
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3.To create awareness to the authorities and people of the islands
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4.To establish an active NGO working on Marine conservation
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5.To stop the consumption of the meat by some communities who are not indigenous tribes.
Other objectives:
The ongoing encroachment of land by the local communities need to be addressed and should take part in any active and engaged conservation practices, otherwise the areas will become over run by other activities which will be detrimental to the survival of the rare and elusive Dugong.
The expected results are:
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A. Comprehensive conservation plan to be established
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B. We will know how we stand on Dugongs why their decline has occurred and will be able to give directions on
how to protect them from extinction. -
C. We will have created awareness about the problem.
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D. We will have educated local, national and international authorities on the situation of Dugongs.
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E. Local college students will have a chance to assist in conservation programs for the first time. Creating a
future generation of conservationist.