1. Global Dugong Conservation
Pacific Islands Dugong and Seagrass Workshop
Munda, Solomon Islands – 4-8 March 2018
Dr Donna Kwan, UN Environment CMS Dugong MOU Secretariat

2. Convention on Migratory Species
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats
CMS Office - Abu Dhabi
Funded by United Arab Emirates Government
Hosted by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)
Provides Secretariat support to:
MOU on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats throughout their Range (Dugong MOU)
CMS: One of six global biodiversity-related international treaties (entry into force 1983)
126 Contracting Parties
CMS Secretariat: Bonn (only out-posted office Abu Dhabi)

3. CMS Dugong MOU
Non-legally binding instrument - came into effect on 31 October 2007
Promotes internationally coordinated actions
46 Range States
26 Signatories
Secretariat established in 2009 to facilitate and coordinate global cooperation, including raising funds for conservation.
Guided by the Conservation and Management Plan (CMP)
Developed to support the implementation of the Dugong MOU.
Conservation, research of dugongs and seagrasses, awareness and education, cross-cutting issues and enhancing cooperation on national, regional and international scales.
Meetings of Signatories (MOS) to the Dugong MOU held every three years.
9 Objectives in CMP

4. Dugong Conservation: the ongoing challenge
How to continue evidenced-based dugong conservation efforts with limited funding given that most range states:
support small populations of dugongs
have significant barriers to implementing effective dugong conservation activities
Helene Marsh

5. Use a comprehensive approach to conservation
Dugong
Seagrass
Threats
Community
Vital data to inform dugong conservation can be obtained using cost-effective methods
Helene Marsh

6. Dugong, Seagrass and Coastal Communities Initiative
Launched in February 2012.
Provides a framework to develop and implement conservation tools and demonstrate how innovative partnerships can support the implementation of the CMP
The core activities identified by the Initiative include:
Conservation Incentive Pilot Projects
GEF-5 Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project
CMS Dugong MOU Standardised Dugong Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire (CMS Dugong MOU Questionnaire)
Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit
Global Genetics Project.
The DSCCI is the main implementation platform of the Dugong MOU

7. CMS Dugong MOU Standardised Dugong Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire
Developed in partnership with Marine Research Foundation and a team of global experts.
Low cost
Easy to implement
Can cover large areas
Can identify areas where dugong, fishing and seagrass overlaps - hotspots
Sets scene for management and conservation actions
Can be used for other marine species
Questionnaire has been deployed in 20 countries to-date, including as part of the GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project
Number of Questionnaires deployed by country
Country
Questionnaires deployed
Bangladesh 68
Cambodia
200
Egypt
India
2017
Indonesia
124
Kenya 75
Madagascar
421
Malaysia
580
Mozambique
330
Myanmar
151
New Caledonia
254
Palau
201
Papua New Guinea
350
Philippines
240
Solomon Islands
109
Sri Lanka
239
Tanzania
206
Thailand
622
Vanuatu
542
Vietnam
400
Total
7329

8. Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit
Decision support tool for research into dugongs, seagrasses and associated human communities.
Developed by Dugong Technical Group.
Audience: marine natural resource managers, decision- makers (government and non-government) and researchers.
Purpose:
to standardise data sets and methods across countries
allow for better comparison of global dugong and seagrass conservation status
to ensure that researchers consider the connectedness of dugongs, seagrasses and human communities.
1,038 New users since the launch in March 2017 from 81 countries

9. Looking forward – Lessons learned from the GEF Project
Successful conservation:
Long-term engagement with communities (i.e. continued after a Project ends).
Coastal communities need food security and/or improved livelihoods as well.
Requires support from all levels of government and within policy.
Technical guidance is needed at all stages of project implementation to ensure ongoing and enduring relationships between local and international expertise.
Awareness raising and incentive activities need to be tailored and appropriate to the needs of local communities.
When designing a project, realistic and practical objectives which match partner capacity (i.e. technical, resources etc.) need to be set.

10. Future priorities – Conservation of seagrass ecosystems
Business Models
Seagrass Ecosystem Services
Sustainable funding for conservation
Ecotourism
Aquaculture
Build local community capacity to protect, monitor, restore and conserve seagrass ecosystem services $$
Sustainable Development
Improve livelihoods and create economic opportunity $$
Conservation Tools
Community based/participatory
Technical Advice
Dugong Conservation
Minimise bycatch and threats
Dugong Range States (46) = 161,496 km2
Pacific Islands (5) = 2,444 km2
Dugong Technical Group
Business development
Marine Protected Areas
Seagrass-Watch
CMS Dugong MOU Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire
Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit
Fisheries Management
Education and Awareness

11. Future priorities Partnerships
Corporate sector / Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes
GEF Project website (
Leveraging for new partnerships
Capacity building
Training and workshops
Technical advice (Dugong Technical Group)
Encouraging and enabling collaboration and cooperation across Range States
Fundraising
Language (in support of ecotourism and other fundraising opportunities)
Innovative Exchanges – promotion and sharing between communities/countries
© Edwin Grandcourt
© Mandy Etpison
© Josh Donlan

12. Questions