Picture this: a serene day at the beautiful Hat Chao Mai beach in Trang, where the azure waters meet the horizon, and the tranquil atmosphere is punctuated by an unusual yet delightful sight. Yes, we’re talking about the remarkable encounter that occurred in September 2024, when marine conservationists and national park officials spotted a dugong, gently gliding through the coastal waves. (Photo: National Parks of Thailand).
This gentle giant, a distant relative of the manatee, is a marine mammal cherished by many. However, recent findings from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reveal a worrying trend that has left conservationists and animal lovers alike deeply concerned. Nearly 40% of the dugongs found stranded last year were alarmingly underweight. The reason? A shortfall of their primary food source, seagrass.
In collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Thailand, the DMCR launched a comprehensive survey of the dugong crisis along the Andaman coast this past January. Their findings painted a dire picture of the ocean ecosystem’s current state. The once-vibrant seagrass meadows in Trang, Krabi, and Phuket have suffered significant decline, compelling many dugongs to abandon their natural feeding habitats and resulting in a steadily increasing number of these gentle creatures becoming stranded.
The report suggests multiple factors might be contributing to this seagrass decline. From sediment accumulation to coastal encroachment, and even rising sea temperatures, the challenges are varied and complex. Certain seagrass species are failing to bounce back from these adversities as quickly as they should, making it tough for dugongs to find the nutrition they need.
To put things into perspective, let’s look at some numbers. The average count of stranded dugongs in 2023-2024 hit 42, a stark increase from the average of 20 across 2019-2022. And shockingly, about 40% of these creatures were found to be malnourished. Eknarin Ariyavongvivat, director of marine and coastal resources conservation at WWF Thailand, shared this disheartening statistic last Saturday.
It’s not just the struggle for food that’s troubling. The dugong birth rate has declined sharply—from 9% during 2020-2023 to a worrying 3% in 2024. “This survey has given us great insight into the predicament we face and emphasizes the importance of both short-term and long-term conservation measures,” said Ariyavongvivat.
In response to these findings, WWF Thailand is actively working to elevate seagrass and dugong protection to a national priority. Seagrass, after all, is not just crucial for dugongs but serves as the cornerstone of marine and coastal ecosystems. Without it, the harmony of the Andaman Sea risks collapsing entirely. It’s estimated that just 100 dugongs remain in these waters. A call to arms has been sounded—action is urgently needed to safeguard these endangered creatures.
To underline the urgency, the DMCR team discovered seven dead dugongs in the first few months of this year alone. This grim statistic underscores the necessity for immediate and decisive intervention. If we are to ensure that future generations can marvel at the majestic dugong in the wild, much like the lucky spectators at Hat Chao Mai beach did last September, then the time to act is, unequivocally, now. Let’s join hands and strive to restore balance to the Andaman coast, one seagrass meadow at a time.
It’s heartbreaking that dugongs are suffering this way. We need stronger regulations to protect their habitats!
I agree, but it’s not just about regulations. We need community involvement to make a real difference.
True, education and awareness are key. Local communities should be empowered to protect the seagrass.
Why not just relocate them to areas with healthier ecosystems?
Relocation isn’t always feasible. It disrupts local ecosystems and the animals’ social structures.
Also, the stress from relocation could harm or even kill the dugongs.
Sad to hear about the decline in seagrass. But isn’t climate change at fault here too?
Absolutely, rising sea temperatures are a huge part of the problem. Climate change can’t be ignored in this crisis.
I’m not convinced about this seagrass urgency. Isn’t it just nature taking its course?
Nature taking its course, really? Human activity is damaging these ecosystems. It’s not something we can ignore.
But isn’t nature supposed to be resilient? It will bounce back.
Resilience has limits. If we keep pushing, there might be no ecosystem left to bounce back to.
The decline is alarming. We should invest in seagrass restoration projects immediately.
Where’s the money going to come from for these projects though?
We need government backing and maybe international aid. The cost of inaction will be higher in the long run.
We can’t keep blaming climate change for everything. We need practical solutions now.
Short-term solutions are important, but long-term goals should aim to mitigate climate change impacts too.
This is so alarming. I never even knew dugongs were endangered. What can we regular people do to help?
Educate yourself and others, support local conservation efforts, and reduce your carbon footprint!
Good points! I’ll definitely try to learn more and maybe get involved in local conservation.
Dugongs are the canaries in the coal mine. Their decline is a signal for a bigger environmental crisis.
I visited Thailand last year and saw a dugong! We must protect these amazing creatures for future generations.
The science is clear. Dugongs need healthy seagrass to survive and thrive. Let’s trust the experts on this.
The fact that dugong birth rates are also declining is terrifying. We have to act now before it’s too late.
How is this crisis not getting more attention? It should be headline news everywhere.
Can we discuss how tourism impacts seagrass meadows too? People need to be more mindful when visiting these areas.