1. Progress of the Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Project in MALAYSIA 3rd Executive Project Steering Committee meeting November, Trang, Thailand

2. PROJECT SITES: 1. SIBU & TINGGI ISLANDS (2) LAWAS
Sibu-Tinggi, Johor
Lawas, Sarawak

3. PROJECT PARTNER
MY1
MY2
MY3
MY4
MY5

4. Baseline in 2015 Progress by 2017 Targets for 2018
Established NFC of GEF 5 Project to discuss on Dugong and Sea grass Conservation activities.
Dugongs: limited information generated in Some information on dugong distribution based on systematic aerial surveys in 2014 (Johor).
Communities: Community based management structure exists in the form of Community Consultative Committee (CCC) but inactive and not related directly to dugong (Johor).
Incentives: No incentives for conservation related efforts.
Baseline in
2015
Establish the Dugong and Seagrass Technical Working Group of Johor State in 2016, National Technical Working Group on Dugong and Sea grass Conservation in June 2017 and Community Working Group of Sibu and Lawas.
Dugongs and seagrass: maps/ data on distribution, threats, occurrence, abundancy.
Policies: a proposed Dugong Sanctuary and associated Management Plan (Johor), Draft recommendations to 2 sectoral policies on integrating dugongs and seagrasses Communities: 10 communities participate in dugong hotspots management/ monitoring; Commencement of alternative livelihood programme for womenfolk in Sibu Island (Johor), Honorarium Ranger (Lawas)
Incentives: 3 incentives models introduced in 2 communities, involving local women; draft model of a public subsidy for community-based management
Progress by
2017
Policies: Review the NPOA of Dugong and Sea grass Conservation
Organise national seminar on dugong and seagrass conservation, National workshop for preparing the new NPOA of Dugong and Seagrass Conservation.
Working with State of Johor on Dugong Sanctuary and Management Plan.
Dugong-seagrass: A national database on seagrass and dugong
Communities: community participating in monitoring and management, field visit and transfer of knowledge to other successful CBM project.
Incentives: Training on incentive programme (alternative livelihood) and capacity building to help increase income of 5 community members.
Targets for
2018

5. Results from Dugong & Seagrass Research (Sibu-Tinggi, Johor)
Methods – distributional aerial surveys, acoustic surveys, social science interviews, habitat contaminants study (Johor)
Number of sites and total size in hectares of the research area for dugongs – 1060 km2 (Johor)
Status of dugong population in the research area in 2015 and today – endangered (< 100 animals)
Dugong hotspots in the Project research area – Sibu Archipelago & Tinggi Island (Johor)
Top 3 threats to dugongs – entanglement in fishing gear (gillnets, illegal longlines), boat strikes, lack of habitat protection (Johor);
3 key dugong research results from the Project – visual and vocal hotspots identified (Sibu & Tinggi Islands), population < 100 animals, threats and habitat utilization identified (Johor)
The MareCet Research Organization owns the data and shared as technical/progress reports with local authorities and GEF DSCP and eventually will be published in scientific journals (Johor)
Research work to be carried out by the Project until 2018 and key research deliverables –
development of systematic monitoring via UAV (Johor)
Genetic research to look at population structure and genetic diversity of the population (Johor);
Behavioural ecology research relating to behaviour of dugongs while in the hotspot, entrance and exit times (Johor)
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

6. Results from Dugong & Seagrass Research (Sibu-Tinggi, Johor)

7. Results from Dugong & Seagrass Research (Lawas, Sarawak)
Suitable methodology for seagrass and dugong surveys using drone were successfully developed and improved continuously throughout the project
Determine the High Conservation Area of dugongs in Lawas by observing the spatial and temporal distribution patterns using drone in on-going
Determine the spatial and temporal patterns of seagrass distribution and coverage is in progress
Provided information on dugong and seagrass in Lawas to the Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources II in October 2017

8. Dugong Survey Results for 2017 (Jan, Mar, Jul & Oct)
Sector (Refer Figure 2) A B C D
Total
No. of sightings 1 2 3
No. of individuals 4 5
Sector size(km2)
3.70
4.07
3.60
3.95
15.32
Replicate or flight mission 8 32
Total survey effort (hours)
8.0
9.6
8.8
34.4
Survey distance or route covered (km)
44.40
48.84
43.20
47.40
183.84
Average sighting rate
(sighting/ hour or sighting /km)
0.00
or 0.00
0.10 or 0.02
0.25 or 0.05
0.00 or 0.00
0.09 or 0.02
Average density (individual/area)
0.25
1.11
0.33
Dugong sighting via drone
Conducting Dugong grazing trail and seagrass obesvation

9. Dugong sighting locations (Jan, Mar, July & Oct 2017
Results from Dugong & Seagrass Research (Lawas, Sarawak)
Dugong sighting locations (Jan, Mar, July & Oct 2017
Mean Percentage (%) of seagrass cover recorded at permanent sampling station sampling stations

10. Project Policy Response To Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Needs In MALAYSIA
The most important policy needs of dugong & seagrass conservation identified in 2015;
Establishment of National Technical Working Group on Dugong and their habitats
Review the NPOA of Dugong and Their Habitats
Key policy gaps to effective dugong & seagrass conservation identified by 2017
Organized the first meeting on the National Technical Working Group on Dugong and Their Habitats in June 2017.
Establish working committee to review the NPOA of Dugong and Their Habitats in July 2017.
Establish the Dugong Technical Working Committee of Johor State
Follow up actions by the Project – operationalization of the Dugong Sanctuary Management Plan and lobby for gazette of the Sanctuary (Johor)
How information generated by the Project has been used to inform decision-making in your country
The National Technical Working Group on Dugong and their habitats had agreed to organize National Seminar on Dugong and Their Habitats in This is the platform for the project partner of GEF 5 to share the information to relevant stake holder for future direction on conserving dugong an its habitats

11. Project policy response to dugong & seagrass conservation needs in MALAYSIA
How sustainability of the National Facilitating Committee developed under the Project will be ensured after the end of the project
The National Facilitating Committee will become the members of National Technical Working Group on Dugong and Their Habitats
Policy work under the Project until 2018, listing key policy-related deliverables
Review the NPOA of Dugong and Their Habitats
Review the Federal Law including to strengthening on the protection of Dugong and their habitats
Co-management training among stakeholders.

12. Community-based stewardship of dugongs and their seagrass habitats (1)
Communities identified to conduct community-based stewardship
5 resort communities and 1 kampung community identified in Sibu Island
3 resort communities and 2 kampung communities identified in Tinggi Island
Based on preliminary results, 22 individuals out of 73 showed great interest in becoming conservation leaders
3 major seagrass sites identified for community management (2 in Pulau Sibu Western Pulau Sibu ; Area south of Pulau Sibu encompassing Sibu Tengah ), 1 in Pulau Tinggi (Southwest Pulau Tinggi in front of Kampung Tanjung Balang). Dugong sighted in all three sites
Common threats project is trying to address : Boat disturbance, physical disturbance of seagrass.
Expected result: Community based monitoring programme, alternative livelihood.

13. Education & Awareness About Dugongs And Seagrass: Sibu-Tinggi, Johor
Target groups: local communities, resort operator, school children, fishermen, government agencies- federal & state.
Educational and awareness activities are carried out either on a scheduled basis or on an ongoing :
Education Programme with the Nature Club of Sibu Primary School;
Beach Clean-up Programme;
Exhibition and Marine Conservation Events;
Coffee Shop Talk with the local communities of Sibu.
The locals communities know about dugong and seagrass. Through the awareness program, its increase their interest in participating in the management and conservation activities.

14. Education & Awareness About Dugongs And Seagrass: Lawas, Sarawak
Completed the Conservation Education Program for schools in Lawas District (75 students)
Conducted the Honorary Wildlife Ranger (HWR) Training and 70 HWR were appointed in Lawas

15. Project indicator
Year 2015
Year 2017
1. Total area of seagrass (key areas for dugongs) under improved conservation management
100 ha
3 seagrass sites
150 ha
4 seagrass sites
2. METT scores in targeted protected areas (MPAs, LMMAs, others) in national programmes 30 50
3. Use of gill nets (beach seines), fixed fish traps and other damaging methods) by fishermen (which result in incidental dugong mortality) reduced
70 persons using bad fishing gear
4 dead dugongs
60 persons using bad fishing gear
5 dead dugongs
4. Community engagement in management (CBM) for dugong conservation in selected priority target areas (LMMAs, other seagrass protection zones, co-management of MPAs)
0 community members trained
0 locals involved in management of LMMA
84 community members trained
5. Number of community-based conservation/ monitoring systems established and functioning for dugong and seagrass) in priority target areas
0 community-based conservation systems in 1 MPA
3 community committees in 1 MPA
6. Number and uptake of incentive mechanisms (ie. market-based, social, cultural, religious) and management tools linking sustainable fishing practices and adoption of best practice (see also Indicator 3)
0 incentives
0 women participation
1 MPA of 5,000 ha
1 incentive opportunity identified
7. Availability and uptake of conservation management information (digital maps of dugong and seagrass distribution & status; ecosystem services valuation data; pilot studies – e.g. assessment of Blue Carbon potential)
Map of dugong distribution covering 1,000 ha
No seagrass data
Maps and data of dugong seagrass across 2,000 ha
Valuation of seagrass ecosystem services
8. Progress on implementation of national and regional Strategies/ Action Plans for dugong and seagrass conservation
NPOA on Dugong and their habitats was produced in 2012
Review NPOA of Dugong and their habitats
9. Incorporation of dugong protection and dugong/ seagrass conservation in other sectors (e.g. fisheries, coastal zone management & regulations)
Establishment of Marine Protected Area (MPA)
Proposed to State and Federal Authority for gazzetting the Dugong Sanctuary Area at Sibu & Tinggi Islands

16. MALAYSIA - lessons learned
What went well and why?
Dugong and seagrass research generally been conducted successfully, with comprehensive results.
Social science interviews completed successfully, better understanding of local stakeholders’ perceptions and intentions to participate in dugong and seagrass conservation.
A field based staff has managed to integrate himself within the community, becoming the ‘bridge’ between community and authority. Local stakeholders are now more likely to get involved and willing to share opinions.
What went wrong and why?
Lack of communication between Project Partners.
Overlap jurisdiction between Federal & State agencies on conserving dugong and seagrass.
Overlap activities in Proposed Dugong Sanctuary
How can we do better?
Better and more frequent communication between all country project partners
More frequent national facilitation meetings.

17. Next steps - Malaysia
Continue with dugong and seagrass research (monitoring), development of marine education programmes for the schools, work with government agencies and local communities on the operationalization of the Dugong Sanctuary Management Plan (once gazetted)
Co-management concept and training among stakeholder in managing LMMA including the Proposed Dugong Sanctuary.
Alternative livelihood programme development on Sibu Island
Support and assist on the Proposed Dugong Sanctuary, Johor.
Strengthening the National Technical Working Group on dugong and seagrass
Review the National Plan of Action of Dugong to strengthen the protection on Dugong and their habitats

18. TERIMA KASIH…