1. Integrating Cultural Values in Dugong Conservation: The Case of Mozambique Coast By Alima Taju Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
5th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC5)
June 24-29, 2018, Kuching, Malaysia

2. Introduction MOZAMBIQUE 2,770 km of coastline
Rich in natural and mineral resources
About 28 million habitants (2017)
60% of the population resident in coastal districts
45% of the population in Zambezia and Nampula provinces
Independence war – 1964 to 1975
Civil war – 80’s and 90’S
Conflicts between political parties since 2013
Decrease in economic growth after reaching 7% between
7th poorest country in the world
PAST HOTSPOTS:
Cabo Delgado province (Pemba and Quirimbas archipelago),
Nampula (Angoche, Mozambique Island and Nacala),
Inhambane (Bazaruto archipelago, Pomene, Chidenguele and Inhambane Bay)
Maputo bay (Inhaca Island)
Today, the largest and possibly the last viable population of dugongs in Mozambique coast and East Africa is found in Bazaruto archipelago (from Save river mouth to Cabo São Sebastião) with approximately 250 individuals.

3. Introduction PAST DUGONG HOTSPOTS In the past dugongs
(Dugong dugon) were plentiful and widely distributed along the Mozambique coast.
However, before any status of protection was given to this species in the country, dugongs were deliberately hunted for their meat, mainly between the 70’s and 80’s, causing most of these populations to dwindle over the years.
PAST DUGONG HOTSPOTS
Quirimbas
Archipelago
Pemba Bay
Mozambique Island
Angoche
PAST HOTSPOTS:
Cabo Delgado province (Pemba and Quirimbas archipelago),
Nampula (Angoche, Mozambique Island and Nacala),
Inhambane (Bazaruto archipelago, Pomene, Chidenguele and Inhambane Bay)
Maputo bay (Inhaca Island)
Today, the largest and possibly the last viable population of dugongs in Mozambique coast and East Africa is found in Bazaruto archipelago (from Save river mouth to Cabo São Sebastião) with approximately 250 individuals.
Bazaruto Archipelago
Pomene
Inhambane Bay
Maputo
Bay

4. Introduction ABOUT 250 – 300 INDIVIDUALS
Today, the largest and possibly the last viable population of dugongs in Mozambique coast and East Africa is found in Bazaruto archipelago region.
Quirimbas
Archipelago
Pemba Bay
Mozambique Island
Bazaruto Archipelago National Park
São Sebastião
Sanctuary
ABOUT 250 – 300 INDIVIDUALS
Angoche
PAST HOTSPOTS:
Cabo Delgado province (Pemba and Quirimbas archipelago),
Nampula (Angoche, Mozambique Island and Nacala),
Inhambane (Bazaruto archipelago, Pomene, Chidenguele and Inhambane Bay)
Maputo bay (Inhaca Island)
Today, the largest and possibly the last viable population of dugongs in Mozambique coast and East Africa is found in Bazaruto archipelago (from Save river mouth to Cabo São Sebastião) with approximately 250 individuals.
Bazaruto Archipelago
Pomene
Inhambane Bay
Maputo
Bay

5. Survey Sites Area: Quirimbas Archipelago Site: Ibo Island
Community: Cumuamba
Local language: Swahili, Makwa
Last sightings: Late 70’s
Interviews: 82
Area: Angoche District
Site: Angoche city
Community: Quelelene Island
Local language: Coti, Makwa
Last sightings: 80’s
Inteviews: 78
PAST HOTSPOTS:
Cabo Delgado province (Pemba and Quirimbas archipelago),
Nampula (Angoche, Mozambique Island and Nacala),
Inhambane (Bazaruto archipelago, Pomene, Chidenguele and Inhambane Bay)
Maputo bay (Inhaca Island)
Today, the largest and possibly the last viable population of dugongs in Mozambique coast and East Africa is found in Bazaruto archipelago (from Save river mouth to Cabo São Sebastião) with approximately 250 individuals.
Area: Bazaruto Archipelago
Site: Vilanculos
Fishing center: Mabandene
Local language: Xitsua
Last sightings: 2018
Interviews: 89

6. Perceptions
“Dugongs are long living (some mentioned dugongs could live about 70 or 80 years, and others mentioned that it could live even more than 100 years)”
“Dugongs are alike pigs”
“Dugongs have hair on the body and no dorsal fins”
“Dugong is a type of human”
“Dugongs also have male and female organs similar to humans. Female dugongs have two breasts as humans, and breastfeed their calves"
“When a female dugong is captured and has a calf it gets really aggressive”

7. Use and Beliefs
In Vilankulo – “My ancestors believed that eating dugongs were like eating a human, because this animal has organs similar to human”
“I heard from my parents that when you catch a dugong your fishing capture will reduce”
“I heard in the community that when you capture a dugong you will have bad luck. If someone capture a dugong, you have to go to a witchdoctor to purify yourself and your fishing gear, otherwise
your fishing catch will reduce”
“Dugongs are “good” animals and help
fishermen identify where there are fish.
Usually you find dugongs in shallower
areas”

8. Use and Beliefs
In Angoche – “I heard that dugongs has some parts (bones) that can be used to increase wealth and production in a farm”
“The dugong is a spiritual species. When you catch a dugong or find it dead on the beach, if you touch it you will have to go through a prayer”
“Dugongs can also be used as medicine – its oil can be used to heal wounds”

9. Use and Beliefs In Ibo Island:
“In the past, when a fisherman caught a dugong and brought it home to eat or sell, first it was necessary to take it to a sacred place and then the fisherman had to swear he didn’t have an intercourse with the animal”
“Dugongs are animals that cannot be captured repeatedly, if you do so, there will be a death in the community”
“In the past, when a dugong were caught, people used to cut their head and sexual organs before taking it home to eat”

10. Food for fish, marine turtles and dugongs
Perceptions
Ibo Island
Nvua
Tchane
Angoche
Evua
Eyane
Vilankulo
Nguluve Njange
Mahata
Pig
Humans
Mammals
Bad or good luck
Eatable
Food
Medicine
Food for fish, marine turtles and dugongs
Fish habitat
Fishing ground

11. Future fishemen...