1. Dugong and seagrass research results – Project MY4
Louisa Ponnampalam . Ng Jol Ern . Jillian Ooi . Heng Wei Khang . Gregory Verutes

2. “A Multi-Pronged Approach in Overcoming Knowledge Barriers on the Ecology and Status of Dugongs in Johor – Towards Critical Habitat Protection (MY4-2114)”

3. Supported / Partnered By:

4. Research team and collaborators
Jillian Ooi, University Malaya
Heng Wei Khang, University Malaya
Kee Alfian, SEAlutions Sdn Bhd
Affendi Yang Amri, University Malaya
Ng Jol Ern, MareCet
Louisa Ponnampalam, MareCet
Gregg Verutes, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

5. Project site @ Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
Bali

6. Dugong/seagrass conservation issues
Problem
Lack of detailed information on dugong distribution
Some parts of core habitat fell outside protected area (Ponnampalam et al. 2015)
Lack of information on dugong density and habitat use
Lack of information and understanding on the overlaps with human activities
Seagrass meadows at Pulau Sibu extensive but never been mapped in detail
Lack of knowledge on main dugong feeding grounds
Lack of information on dugong feeding preferences
Objectives
Determining dugong distribution and habitat use
Mapping Pulau Sibu seagrass meadows
Investigating dugong feeding ecology around Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi

7. Strategy, Methods, Tools
Aerial surveys to systematically collect data on dugong distribution across the years, and in differing variables (e.g. time of day, tidal state), and data on the occurrence and distribution of human activities
Bycatch Toolkit – Risk Assessment
Seagrass mapping of Pulau Sibu
Underwater surveys of the subtidal
seagrass to identify core feeding grounds
and sample feeding trails and seagrass
Laboratory analyses of seagrass samples and
photo-quadrat data

8. RESULTS
Aerial surveys

9. X Dugong core areas All sightings Mother-calf pair sightings
2.7 dugong sightings/100 km
4.5 dugong sightings/h
(LOW encounter rates)
642 sightings
24.5% sightings with calves
Group size range: 1 – 43 (Mean = 1.9 ± 3.6,
Median = 1, Mode = 1) X
All sightings
Mother-calf pair sightings

10. Dugong herd size

11. Dugong distribution (time of day)

12. Dugong distribution (spring tide vs neap tide)

13. ByRA (bycatch risk analysis)
Nets
Trawls

14. ByRA (bycatch risk analysis)
Traps
Recreational fishing

15. ByRA (bycatch risk analysis)
FISHERIES BYCATCH RISK was calculated as:
(1) exposure (the degree a species experiences stress due to gear-specific threat (spatial/temporal overlap, threat intensity, likelihood of interaction, catchability, and current status of management strategies));
(2) consequence (defined as the resilience of a species to a stressor (age of maturity, reproductive strategy, population connectivity, local status of species)); and
(3) sensitivity (mortality and life stages affected by gear).

16. ByRA toolkit
Verutes et al. in prep
Hines et al. in prep

17. Results Seagrass mapping
Co-investigators: Jillian Ooi, Heng Wei Khang (University of Malaya)
Seagrass mapping
Pic: Heng WK
Pic: Nazirul Amin

18. Dugong feeding grounds
Inter-monsoon, June 2016
Pre-monsoon, Oct 2016

19. Dugong feeding trails Feeding trail dimensions Measurement Value
Average Length (m)
7.80 ± 5.32
Average Width (cm)
14.28 ± 2.82
Average Depth (cm)
2.7 ± 0.6
Average Area (m2)
1.16 ± 0.54
Average Biomass per FT (g DW)
50.65 ± 41.07

20. Dugong feeding preferences
Analysis by: Heng Wei Khang (University of Malaya)
Main species consumed – Halophila ovalis and Halodule uninervis
HO shoot density was significantly higher in FT compared to NFT (Wilcoxon rank sum: Z = 2.16, n = 22, p = 0.03).
HO was significantly higher than HU in FT (Wilcoxon signed rank: Z = 4.93, n = 22, p = <0.001)  Denser HO areas were preferred by dugongs.
Shoot Density (m-2)
Seagrass sp_Area type

21. Dugong feeding preferences
Analysis by: Heng Wei Khang (University of Malaya)
Seagrass Biomass (g/ DW m2)
Seagrass sp_Area type
HO biomass was significantly higher in FT areas compared to NFT areas.
HO biomass was significantly lower than HU only in NFT areas  higher HO biomass areas were preferred

22. Not just a research project…..
Mersing Archipelago IUCN Important Marine Mammal Area – Sep 2018

23. Not just a research project…..
Towards the Johor Dugong Sanctuary
150,000+ ha

24. Not just a research project…..
MANAGEMENT
Enhance governance, encourage co-management
Towards financial sustainability
Towards the Johor Dugong Sanctuary
CONSERVATION
Increasing understanding
Minimizing threats
Sustaining dugongs, seagrass and fisheries
OUTREACH
Improving awareness
Increasing recognition
Empowering communities
DEVELOPMENT
Improving facilities and amenities
Introducing unique products
Creating new livelihoods
World class conservation and ecotourism area
Pending Gazette by the Dept of Fisheries Malaysia

25. Lessons learned
Aerial surveys
Seagrass surveys ?? 17 X

26. Replication potential

27. Replication potential
ByRA toolkit

28. Terima kasih! Thank you!