1. It’s on like Sea-Gong..!
Addressing the lack of awareness and information on Seagrass and Dugong in Solomon Islands
This project took place in the Vonavona/Roviana Lagoon system of Western Province, Solomon Islands over a period of 10 months, the project focused on a) making the public more aware about the need to protect dugongs and seagrass habitats b) documenting information on the status of dugongs populations and c) helping improve management of inshore ecosystems that encompass important dugong and seagrass areas. As a result of this project there is an improved level of awareness and appreciation for dugongs and seagrass habitats locally. Information collected from CMS dugong surveys, as part of this project, has clearly identified the lagoon as a hotspot for dugongs (and turtles) in Solomon Islands. Going forward, CM2 will seek to collaborate with partners to implement management measures that will help better protect dugongs and seagrass in Solomon Islands.
Coastal Marine Management (CM2) is a locally established enterprise based in Munda, Western Province, Solomon Islands. One of the key focus areas for CM2 is on providing logistical and technical support to conservation and research activities that ultimately will lead to improved management measures for species and the habitats they are dependent on. This includes the human species!
Of particular interest to CM2 is the use of Citizen Science approaches/tools to engage and encourage communities and schools to learn and appreciate more their coastal and marine environment.
CM2 also provides project management support for small community-based organizations who are engaged in resource management/conservation projects in Solomon Islands.
The awareness component of this project produced informative posters on seagrass and dugong. This also included a poster aimed at making the public aware of the recently introduced dugong ban in Solomon Islands. The posters used and distributed during talks at communities throughout the project area including at one school. The project team was also engaged in awareness raising at the Roviana Lagoon Festival at nearby Munda. Information on the extent and species composition of the coastal seagrass meadows were documented by members of the project team and community rangers who had been trained in Seagrass Watch mapping protocol for. This information is part of a work in progress with further surveys and mapping activities planned for the lagoon. Data collected from the CMS dugong surveys confirm that the lagoon is an important “hotspot” for dugongs. As a result of this project, the Rarumana community is currently establishing a locally managed marine area that will encompass important dugong and seagrass areas. Ongoing technical support for this community will be provided by CM2 beyond the life of this project.
Seagrass Watch is an excellent tool for introducing school students and the broader community into collection Citizen Science data.
Google Earth can be a powerful tool for documenting spatial movement patterns of dugongs, turtles and fishers
Women are more frequent users of seagrass and mangrove ecosystems then men and should be involved in management discussions that involve these habitat types.
Mud crab – An important member of the seagrass community.
LMMA planning workshop in progress.
Going forward, CM2 will actively seek funding opportunities that will enable us to continue to utilise the tools and training provided through the DSCP to a) collect additional information on the status and composition of seagrass species and b) conduct further CMS dugong surveys in western Solomon Islands. We hope that as our collective understanding of the status dugongs and seagrass improves, we will be able to work together with other partners to encourage and support the development of management measures, such as locally managed marine areas, that will be critical to maintaining viable populations of dugongs and healthy seagrass ecosystems.
A 50 x 50 cm quadrat used during Seagrass Watch mapping surveys.
Community members engaged in Seagrass Watch monitoring