Marine

Dugong and Seagrass Habitat Welfare

Dugongs are strictly herbivorous marine mammals entirely dependent on seagrass meadows that are declining globally from coastal development and water quality degradation.

Key Facts

Dugongs consume up to 40 kg of seagrass per day as their sole food source
Global seagrass coverage has declined by over 30% since 1980
Boat strike is a leading cause of dugong injury and mortality in shallow coastal areas
Dugong populations in the Arabian Gulf, East Africa, and Southeast Asia are critically depleted

Welfare Considerations

Seagrass loss forces dugongs to travel greater distances for food, increasing boat strike risk and causing nutritional stress. Propeller injuries from boat strikes cause severe trauma and chronic wounds. Boat speed limits in dugong habitat directly reduce welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Support seagrass restoration programmes in key dugong habitat areas
Advocate for boat speed limits in shallow coastal zones used by dugongs
Engage with campaigns opposing coastal development that destroys seagrass meadows