Conservation efforts to protect dugongs and their fragile marine ecosystems have been ramped up ahead of World Dugong Day on May 28th, 2025. The collaborative efforts of International Animal Rescue (IAR), Yayasan Inisiatif Alam Raya Indonesia (YIARI), WeBe, and the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries of the Indonesian Government’s Marine and Fisheries Development Agency (BPSPL) have come together to safeguard these gentle marine creatures and their habitats.
Sir David Attenborough’s powerful words from his latest documentary ‘Ocean’ serve as a reminder of the unprecedented threats our oceans face. With this in mind, the partnership has already made significant progress in community outreach and environmental education, recognizing that lasting conservation begins with awareness and engaging and supporting local communities.
One of the key initiatives of the partnership is the establishment of the Maritime Learning Centre (Pusat Pembelajaran Bahari) on Cempedak Island. This center will serve as a place where children and young people can learn about the wonders of the ocean and the importance of preserving seagrass meadows, mangroves, coral reefs, and other critical coastal habitats.
Gavin Bruce, CEO of IAR, highlights the dependence of dugongs on healthy seagrass meadows for their survival. He states, “Dugongs are gentle, elusive creatures who depend entirely on healthy seagrass meadows to survive. We hope that by educating local communities, in particular the next generation, we are turning the tide and creating lasting change that will not only benefit dugongs but entire marine ecosystems as well as the coastal communities that rely on the ocean for their health and prosperity.”
The learning center is a vital step in understanding the connection between dugong conservation and wider environmental goals, including climate change mitigation. Seagrass meadows, where dugongs feed, act as powerful carbon sinks, absorbing and storing significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Plans for the center 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 is a reminder that the oceans’ health is fundamental to the planet’s health. Through education, community partnerships, and habitat protection, YIARI is working to ensure that dugongs continue to swim safely in Indonesia’s coastal waters for generations to come.”
To learn more about these efforts, visit www.internationalanimalrescue.org and www.yiari.or.id.
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