Khit/Yoon (NSS) – March 4

The Environment and Endangered Species Conservation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation recommends a survey on the conservation of sea cows (dugongs), classified as the topmost aquatic animal potentially facing extinction.

Dugongs, the marine mammals, are currently classified as the topmost endangered species, and Myanmar is encountering difficulties in surveying them due to various reasons and conditions.

"Globally, dugongs face imminent extinction, not just in Myanmar. Classified as critically endangered worldwide, their protection is crucial. As a member of the international community, Myanmar has a responsibility to contribute to their conservation efforts," said U Han Win from the Fisheries Department to the Statesman News Journal.

Sadly, sea cows along the Rakhine and Ayeyawady coasts frequently suffer entanglement in fishing nets, leading to strandings and fatalities. Their presence is primarily documented around Manaung Island (Cheduba Island) and the upper parts of Chaungthar beach.

In order to carry out surveys and conservation efforts for dugongs, obtaining international technical assistance and expertise is crucial, as the process is more complex compared to surveying dolphins.

"Conducting dugong surveys presents significant challenges. Aerial surveys by jets and underwater diving are necessary, but motorboat noise and human presence can easily scare them away. Currently, we face resource limitations, including a lack of expertise, budget, and equipment. International assistance is crucial for effective survey and conservation efforts. With their support, we can overcome these hurdles and achieve our goals," he emphasized. 

Sea cows are facing extinction globally due to their capture and killing in foreign countries, while the climate change, resulting in high temperatures and pollution of seawater, poses additional challenges to their survival.

The Fisheries Department has issued Notification No. (1/2018) and Directive No. (5/2022) outlining guidelines for the preservation and protection of marine mammals. The directive explicitly prohibits the capture, killing, injuring, or selling of rare marine mammals, and any violations will result in legal consequences.

In Myanmar, species such as the sea cow (Dugong dugon), Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis), Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), and numerous others are reportedly listed as endangered marine mammals in Myanmar.