Dugong stranding and suggestions for conservation: a tool to support endangered marine resource conservation

Abstract

The study aimed to (a) provide record of dugong stranding and mortality, (b) conduct necropsy of dugong, (c) characterize the circumstantial causes of mortality and stranding and (d) determine the threats that impede dugong conservation.Secondary data available on strandings and mortality of dugong were utilized to confirm validity of data obtained from interview of fishfarmers. Record of logged and reported incidents of dugong strandings and mortality were also retrieved. Necropsy was done every time dugong mortality occurred. Information and data were kept in dugong data sheets. Preliminary results showed that from 2001 – 2008, six strandings of dugongs have been documented in Malita, Davao del Sur. All the six strandings occurred within an approximate 10 km stretch of coastline (from Brgy. Lacaron to Brgy. Tingolo) of Malita, Davao del Sur. One out of the six strandings was a female baby dugong. The other four were male adult dugong with a length of not less than 2m. The probable causes of death were mostly anthropogenic: victim of spear fishing, blasting, entangled in net and intentionally caught for food. Parasitism was also observed in one of the dugongs that was examined where the gut, stomach, intestine were heavily infested with round worms.