{"id":1010,"date":"2016-11-29T06:52:49","date_gmt":"2016-11-29T06:52:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mihari-network.org\/?p=1010\/"},"modified":"2016-12-28T06:53:35","modified_gmt":"2016-12-28T06:53:35","slug":"communities-leading-seagrass-dugong-conservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mihari-network.org\/en\/communities-leading-seagrass-dugong-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Communities leading seagrass and dugong conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2015, the MIHARI network incorporated the conservation of dugongs, or \u201cLamboara\u201d \u00a0in Malagasy, into its national strategy as a member of the GEF funded project: Enhancing the Conservation Effectiveness of Seagrass Ecosystems Supporting Globally Significant Populations of Dugongs Across the Indian and Pacific Ocean Basins (Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Dugongs in Madagascar<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"MIHARI
MIHARI was invited to the Dugong festival at Nosy Hara. \u00a9MIHARI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

North West Madagascar is the remaining hotspot for the endangered dugong, and where seagrass habitats, on which they rely on for food, are abundant. Although little is known about this species amongst the general population, they arouse great fascination, and many consider them sacred animals.However, populations of dugongs have dramatically declined due to directed hunting, and bycatch in fishing nets. <\/span><\/p>\n

While hunting of dugongs was common in the past, given the animal\u2019s character, an interesting set of rituals developed to guide hunting : two people were required to kill the animal, one of whom had to be a traditional religious figure; the body was hidden with a veil, because the act in itself was considered so shameful that it was necessary to hide it from the Gods.<\/p>\n

Maromina, a fisher\u2019s wife living in Sahamalaza, is one of the few people the MIHARI team has met who has seen a dugong in the wild. This was several years ago. Her explanation for the decline in population numbers was, “<\/span>All parts of the dugongs body are considered medically important in Malagasy customs. I am certain that apart from its delicious taste, the reason the Dugongs are in danger of extinction is because of their use in traditional medicine. Bones were used to decrease swelling on the body, their oil to for hearing problems and alleviate stitching pains. I still have a dugong bone in my house that I use to treat swelling of my foot.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dugongs are particularly susceptible to the effects of overfishing because they usually give birth only once every 5 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
A dugong eating seagrass. \u00a9M.Wanner (n.d.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conserving dugongs and seagrass<\/b><\/h3>\n

The plight of the dugong is of critical importance, not only because communities can have a significant role in safeguarding their future, but because they can also act as flagship species to promote the protection of key seagrass habitats. Seagrass is vital for the life cycle and growth of many coral reef and key fisheries species, yet it can be difficult habitat to build enthusiasm and protection for. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project, of which MIHARI is one of 4 partner projects, aims to enhance the conservation effectiveness of seagrass ecosystems and globally significant populations of dugongs across the Indian and Pacific Oceans basins. \u00a0The work of MIHARI focuses on :<\/span><\/p>\n

Enhancing the Conservation Effectiveness of Seagrass Ecosystems Supporting Globally<\/span><\/p>\n

Significant Populations of Dugongs Across the Indian and Pacific Ocean Basins:<\/span><\/p>\n