Bangkok, 14 February 2002 - The dugong is under serious and increasing threat in most parts of the world where it is still found, including Thailand.
Findings from the first global study of the rare marine mammal show rising pollution from the land, coastal developments, boat traffic and fishermens' nets are causing a decline in numbers.
Hunting for meat, amulets and trophies may be other factors says the report, The Dugong (Dugong dugon): Status Report and Action Plans for Countries and Territories in its Range, funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other organisations.
The report was released this week at the seventh special session of the Governing Council of UNEP and the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Cartagena, Colombia, which is being attended by senior officials from Thailand's Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.
In Thailand, knowledge on dugong distribution has improved greatly in recent years and it is estimated that there are less than 50 dugongs left in the Gulf of Thailand, in the Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Chumporn and Suratthani provinces.
Recent work suggests about 150 dugongs live in the Andaman Sea, in scattered groups from Ranong to Satun, with the biggest population around Trang's Talibong and Muk islands.
A recent survey of villagers living along the Andaman Coast showed 73 per cent of people believe the dugong population is declining. This view is shared by researchers, fishermen and government officials.
Dugongs depend for food on seagrass meadows, which are being destroyed by effluent from shrimp farms, disturbance from push and trawl net fishing, siltation from tin mining, and pollution and sedimentation from industrial, housing and tourism developments. The incidental catching of dugongs in nets is also a serious problem in Thailand's heavily fished seas.
Climate change, with its anticipated rise in more violent, damaging storms and flash floods, poses a new threat to the dugong's seagrass habitat.
The report notes Thailand's Fisheries Act and Wildlife Reservation and Protection Act contain regulations designed to protect dugongs. It also says that non-government organizations such as Wildlife Thailand and Yadfon have led successful public awareness campaigns to prevent illegal fishing.
Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of UNEP, said: "Dugongs are wondrous and compelling creatures - their health is a key indicator of whether we are being successful at fighting climate change, reducing marine pollution and managing our coastal resources sustainably."
The report recommends regular surveys of dugong populations, seagrass habitat and fishing and pollution threats, enhanced management involving government, non-government and community groups, and more education and media campaigns.
The report shows that dugongs can travel surprisingly long distances - up to 600 km in a few days - so UNEP is also urging strengthen conservation initiatives among neighboring countries, including signing and ratifying the Convention on Migratory Species. The report says very little is known of dugong populations in Cambodia and Vietnam.
END
Editor
Notes
Global
situation:
Dugongs have become extinct in the waters off Mauritius, the Seychelles, western
Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Japan's Sakishima Shoto Islands, Hong Kong's Pearl
River estuary, several islands in the Philippines including Zambales and Cebu,
and parts of Cambodia and Vietnam. They are likely to become extinct in East
Africa unless urgent action is taken. Only northern Australian waters, the Red
Sea area and Arabian Gulf have stable populations, the report found.
For
more information please contact:
Tim Higham, Regional Information Officer, phone 02 288 2127, email higham@un.org
or Jane Lugo-Morales, Information Assistant, phone 02 288 1873, email
lugo-morales@un.org
UNEP News Release ROAP 2002/04