Partnerships Formed to Protect Dugongs on World Dugong Day
In his latest documentary ‘Ocean’, renowned environmentalist Sir David Attenborough emphasized the importance of saving our oceans to save our world. With this message in mind, on Tuesday 27 May 2025, ahead of World Dugong Day (28 May), International Animal Rescue (IAR) and its Indonesian partners, YIARI and WeBe, along with the Marine and Fisheries Development Agency (BPSPL) from the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries of the Indonesian Government, have joined forces to safeguard dugongs and their fragile marine ecosystems.
The partnership’s primary focus is on community outreach and environmental education, recognizing that lasting conservation efforts begin with awareness and engaging and supporting local communities. One of the key initiatives is the establishment of the Maritime Learning Centre (Pusat Pembelajaran Bahari) on Cempedak Island. This center will educate children and young people about the wonders of the ocean and the importance of preserving seagrass meadows, mangroves, coral reefs, and other critical coastal habitats.
According to Gavin Bruce, CEO of IAR, “Dugongs are gentle, elusive creatures who depend entirely on healthy seagrass meadows to survive. We hope that by educating local communities, especially the next generation, we can create lasting change that will benefit not only dugongs but also entire marine ecosystems and the coastal communities that rely on the ocean for their health and prosperity.”
The learning center plays a crucial role in understanding the connection between dugong conservation and wider environmental goals, including climate change mitigation. Seagrass meadows, where dugongs feed, serve as powerful carbon sinks, absorbing and storing significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Plans also include habitat protection, sustainable livelihoods, and increased support for coastal communities that share their shores with this rare marine mammal.
Gavin adds, “World Dugong Day serves as a reminder that the health of our oceans is fundamental to the planet’s health. Through education, community partnerships, and habitat protection, YIARI is working towards ensuring that dugongs continue to swim safely in Indonesia’s coastal waters for generations to come.”
To learn more about the work of IAR and YIARI, visit their websites at www.internationalanimalrescue.org and www.yiari.or.id.
