How will gazetting Mersing islands protect dugongs and seagrass?

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Gazetting Mersing Islands to Safeguard Dugongs and Seagrass Habitat

The Department of Fisheries (DoF) is actively pursuing the gazetting of waters surrounding the Mersing cluster of islands in Johor to establish crucial protection for the dugong population and its essential seagrass habitat. These islands represent the sole known location for dugongs in Peninsular Malaysia, a species facing a decline due to threats to its feeding grounds. The proposed gazetting aims to address this by creating a protected zone for both the marine mammals and the seagrass meadows they depend on.
Establishing Protected Waters for Dugong Conservation

The primary objective behind the gazetting initiative is to create a legally protected area for the dugong and its habitat. This is particularly vital as the dugong population in the region is estimated by the MareCet Research Organisation to be fewer than 100 individuals. The existing gazetting of Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi waters as a Marine Park has proven insufficient, with observations indicating that only 38% of dugongs reside within its current boundaries, and a significant number of mother-and-calf pairs are found outside this designated zone.
Preserving Critical Seagrass Meadows

Seagrass meadows in areas such as Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi serve as indispensable grazing grounds for dugongs, with evidence of their feeding activity noted since 2014. Beyond supporting the dugong population, these seagrass ecosystems are also integral to the survival of other commercially important species, including the 'mabang' squid, which utilise these waters for spawning. The planned gazetting is intended to ensure the preservation and conservation of these vital seagrass areas, thereby maintaining the broader marine ecosystem's balance.
Raising Awareness and Preliminary Rehabilitation Efforts

The DoF's efforts to gazette the Mersing islands' waters are also framed as an initiative to elevate public awareness regarding the importance of preserving seagrass. This aligns with World Seagrass Day, celebrated annually on March 1. Furthermore, preliminary studies on ex situ seagrass propagation are underway for selected species, targeting areas that require rehabilitation of their seagrass habitats, indicating a proactive approach to restoring degraded environments.

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How will gazetting Mersing islands protect dugongs and seagrass?

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