Phuket Marine Biology Center successfully convinced the Government of Thailand to sing the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) of the United Nations Environmental Program CMS (Convention on Migratory Species). The agreement on the “Conservation and Management of Dugongs” was already signed by 9 countries during the CMS Meeting in Abu Dabi 2007, followed by 3 more committing countries in Bali 2008. Finally on the 19th of May 2009 the Thai cabinet unanimously agreed to also sign the MoU. When the actual signing will take place is not yet announced.

Dugongs are large marine mammals, which belong together with manatees to the group of Sirenia. They live in the ocean of at least 37 nations  in the in-pacific region.  They can mostly be found on see grass beds in shallow protected waters. They get up to 70 years old and reproduce themselves quite slow. Their threats are hunters, accidents with fishing nets and the reduction of their natural habitat. These facts make the Dugong population endangered to extinction.

We are hopeful that Dugongs will live safer and happier around Phuket in the coming years. We will add what we can from our side. Have a look at these wonderful animals.