Community initiated dugong conservation in Cape San Agustin (SEASTAR2000)

Abstract

The dugong conservation project in Cape San Agustin started about a year ago focused on community monitoring, visual sighting and photography of dugong. The results recorded active time of day dugongs were sighted, numbers, and activities as well death, stranding and recovery efforts. Dugongs were tracked across Cape San Agustin from Pujada. Associated information was gathered from the Samal-Talikud islands and Malita Bay in Davao Gulf about 100 kilometers away towards Celebes Sea. Sightings were also noted within the 100-kilometers between Baganga Bay and Hinatuan Bay towards the eastern Pacific seaboard since 2004. Sightings, strandings, deaths and recovery efforts were similarly reported in all these areas. These areas have a potential link with the southern Mindanao-Sulu-Celebes Sea area of dugong, marine mammals and endangered wildlife community.