Abu Dhabi, 12 September 2018 – Good news for dugongs in the Solomon Islands, it is now against the law to fish, retain, be in possession of, buy, sell or export dugongs in the Solomon Islands. Any violation of this law is punishable by four months in prison and/or SI$40,000 fine (USD 5,000).

On 27 August 2018 the Fisheries Management (Prohibited Activities) Regulations 2018 were officially gazetted – making dugongs, as well as many other marine species, off limits to fishers. This is a major achievement and is the result of the influence of the GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project and the hard work of the project’s National Facilitating Committee for the Solomon Islands. The announcement was welcomed by many. 

A National Dugong and Seagrass Art and Creative Writing competition was held in July of this year to raise awareness and encourage the conservation of seagrass and dugongs – which are considered sacred by many people in Solomon Islands.