OVERCOMING THE KNOWLEDGE GAPS AND INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITY TO ESTABLISH A MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) FOR THE CONSERVATION OF DUGONG AND SEAGRASS IN BAY OF BRUNEI, LAWAS, SARAWAK, EAST MALAYSIA Dugongs have been classified as “critically endangered species” in Malaysia, therefore conservation action must be taken to ensure the prolong existence of this species. Attempts to establish a protected area for the protection of dugong, seagrass and mangrove in early 2000s was rejected by the State Government of Sarawak due to insufficient data on biodiversity to justify the establishment and the development priorities of the state government for the area. At the same time, the seagrass ecosystem in Lawas facing to main threats from fishing practices coastal development. Thus, the main aim for the MY5-2115 is to establish a marine protected area (MPA) for the conservation of dugong and seagrass in the Malaysian Bay of Brunei, Lawas, Sarawak, East Malaysia. The objectives for the project are to: (i)Contribute knowledge on dugong population ecology and seagrass to State and Federal Cabinet Meeting agendas.(ii)Contribute knowledge to the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for the conservation and management of dugong and seagrass in Malaysia.(iii) Develop capacity building on dugong and seagrass (iv) Involve local community in conserving dugong and seagrass SARAWAK FORESTRY Corporation Sdn Bhd (SFCSB) is a government link company owned by the Sarawak Stae Government. The organization was established by the Sarawak State Government under the Sarawak Forestry Corporation Ordinance, 1995 to carry out and have the charge, conduct and management on behalf of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, whereas to act as the Government and provide services in administering, assessing, collecting and enforcing payment of royalty, premia, fees and other dues or levies chargeable under, and to perform other functions conferred by, the Forest Ordinance, the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance, 1998 and the Wild Life Protection Ordinance , 1998. 1. Contribute to knowledge gaps on dugong population & seagrass Seventy (70) local communities were trained and appointed as Honorary Wildlife Ranger (HWR) on March 2017 Thirteen (13) sightings with 20 individuals and sighting rate of 0.19 sighting per hour were recorded during the study period Ninety three (93) secondary school students in Lawas area were participated in the Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Education Program under “Nature n U” Capacity building Dominant seagrass species is Halophila pinifolia and recorded at 23 out 26 permanent sampling stations. 3. Capacity building Trainings on QGIS software and drone operating and handling training managed to develop skills to carry out dugong and seagrass surveys using drone. Overlay Dugong feeding trail survey data with drone sightings confirmed that the hotspot for dugong is located between Sungai Bangat to Belangsat area. 4. Establishment of Marine Protected area for dugong protection and conservation Kuala Lawas National Park initial gazettement was published in April 2018 Total estimated of seagrass area in Lawas coastline using drone is 46,0575 m2 or 0.46 km2 2. Involvement of local community Tidal phases, weather, drone capacity, topography, time of the day are factors that need to be taken into account in designing and developing survey methodology for dugong and seagrass using drone The limitation of survey techniques can be improved from time to time using the latest state of art equipment available in the market Involvement of local community is crucial to gain their support for establishment of MPA Scientific information derived from systematic survey methodology is very crucial to convince the decision maker in the establishment of MPA for conservation of dugongs and their critical habitats protection. Dugong Sighting heatmap Aerial photo taken via drone To explore and develop more advance drone with longer flying endurance in order to expand or discover the survey area The eventual establishment of the national park will ensure that there will be manpower, infrastructure, and funding available to protect the dugong and its sensitive habitat within the area. Involvement of local community in public awareness program will be implemented by the trained Honorary Wildlife Ranger HWR appointed in Lawas Participants of “Nature n U” Program