Positive News for Mozambique Dugongs

Abu Dhabi/Bazaruto, 20 August 2018- Dr Donna Kwan from the CMS Dugong MOU Secretariat undertook a site visit to Bazaruto Archipelago to meet with local partners from 11-19 August 2018. With a population of approximately 300 dugongs, Bazaruto is the last remaining stronghold for dugongs in East Africa. The mission aimed to assess and better understand the local conditions to ensure the successful implementation of conservation interventions in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

The Dugong MOU Secretariat has collaborated with a local Mozambican NGO, Dugongos to seek funding for a dugong and seagrass conservation project, from the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA).  This mission allowed the Dugong MOU Secretariat to have face to face meetings with local partners to the WIOMSA project and assess what other capacity or resource needs are required to effectively implement the project. It also allowed discussions on ways to seek funding for a more comprehensive project and implement effective conservation measures for dugongs and seagrass in the region.

During the mission, the Dugong MOU Secretariat joined Dugongos staff to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration with the local tourism industry, including with Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort. Opportunities identified include the promotion of ‘Seafari’, an app called developed by Dugongos that collects sighting data of marine mammals, among resort guests and staff; research and monitoring activities; as well as education and awareness raising.  

On the final day of the mission, Dr Kwan met with African Parks Network representatives to discuss potential areas of collaboration. From sharing technical expertise to developing monitoring programmes, the actions discussed at the meeting aimed at effective conservation and management of the entire range of the dugong population in the Bazaruto Archipelago and surrounding region.

 

 

Last updated on 05 September 2018