Marine Wildlife

Dugong Conservation and Seagrass Ecosystem Welfare

Dugongs are the only strictly herbivorous marine mammals, entirely dependent on seagrass meadows that are disappearing rapidly due to coastal development, pollution, and climate change across the Indo-Pacific.

Key Facts

Dugongs can live over 70 years but have extremely slow reproduction, with females producing one calf every 3-7 years
They require vast seagrass meadows and can consume up to 40 kg of seagrass per day
Propeller strikes from boats are a significant cause of injury and death in dugong populations
Dugongs are culturally important to many Indigenous coastal communities who have sustainable harvest rights
Global dugong populations have declined dramatically, with the species now listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN

Welfare Considerations

Dugongs face persistent welfare threats from boat strikes in shallow coastal waters they share with human recreational and commercial traffic. Entanglement in shark nets and fishing gear causes drowning and injury. Loss of seagrass due to turbidity from coastal runoff and development means dugongs must travel further to find food, increasing energetic demands and exposure to threats. Surviving animals may show chronic malnutrition when seagrass is degraded.

What You Can Do

Support seagrass restoration and monitoring programs in dugong habitats
Advocate for speed restrictions in shallow coastal areas where dugongs are present
Reduce nutrient and sediment runoff to coastal waters through land management practices
Support Indigenous-led dugong management programs that balance cultural rights with conservation
Donate to organizations like the Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project