Dugong in Man Aung Water, Myanmar

Abstract

Dugong is known as Ye wet (= Water pig) and Ye thu ma (= Mermaid) in Myanmar. Man Aung Island, about 55 miles in circumference, is situated at 18°47.898'N and 93°98.472'E in the Rakhine Coast of western Myanmar. It was known as Cheduba Island as an English name in the past. Dugongs live in shallow, near shore waters of north, east and south-eastern Man Aung. Dugongs are sighted mostly in the raining season. They particularly like Halophila ovalis seagrass species. Usually solitary but they could also be found in groups of two to three animals. They love their family, especially their “child”, very much. Fishermen are of the opinion that dugongs make a cough-like sound, “a hoot, a hoot, …”, in the water. The mating season of dugong occurs in the transitional period between the end of the rainy season and start of the winter. Dugong meat and bones are used as traditional medicine. Dugongs are protected by Law. Accidental mortality in fishing nets is still prevalent. Geographic position and nature attributes around the island prevail the occurrence of dugongs. Man Aung Island definitely deserves to be nominated as a place for focusing future activities on dugong research and conservation in Myanmar.