Dugongs experiencing significant growth near Trang archipelago.
Koh Libong and Koh Muk's flourishing seagrass meadows have given local dugong populations a massive boost. According to Jinda Srisuppatpong, head of Marine National Park Education and Research Centre 3, the recent aerial survey of Hat Chao Mai marine national park—using a drone—revealed a herd of 23 dugongs, boasting a new mother and her offspring.
The abundance of halophila ovalis sea grass off the coast of Koh Libong and Koh Muk has enabled these dugongs to thrive and reproduce. This revelation indicates that preservation efforts are a success in safeguarding the park's marine habitats.
Researchers confess to having found the overall health of dugongs in Koh Libong and Koh Muk to be satisfactory. "It's great news for the dugongs' long-term food security," Mr. Jinda declared, emphasizing conservation efforts seem to be yielding positive results.
He attributed the growth and well-being of the dugong population to the park's conservation initiatives, including promoting awareness through educational trips and utilizing cutting-edge technology like drones for monitoring.
The lush seagrass ecosystems in these regions cater to dugongs' dietary necessities and shelter needs, ensuring a healthy environment for their reproduction. Minimizing disturbances from human activities, such as tourism and fishing, also plays a significant part in maintaining the dugongs' well-being.
While the developments in Koh Libong and Koh Muk are promising, broader challenges persist for Thai dugong populations. Habitat degradation causing seagrass decline and the dispersal of dugongs to unsuitable areas pose significant concerns. Climate change, entanglement in fishing gear, and boat strikes remain threats to the species' survival.
Continued conservation and management strategies are essential to ensure the long-term health of the dugong population worldwide. The encouraging reports from Koh Libong and Koh Muk stress the importance of maintaining and expanding conservation initiatives globally.
- The seagrass meadows in Koh Libong and Koh Muk provide the perfect environment for dugongs to live, thanks to the abundance of halophila ovalis sea grass.
- The recent surge in Koh Libong and Koh Muk's dugong population can be attributed to the success of conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding the park's marine habitats.
- By promoting awareness through educational trips and utilizing technology like drones for monitoring, the park's conservation initiatives have contributed to the growth and well-being of the dugong population.
- A sustainable lifestyle, including minimizing disturbances from human activities like tourism and fishing, is crucial in ensuring a healthy environment for dugongs to reproduce and thrive.
- Despite the positive developments in Koh Libong and Koh Muk, climate change, entanglement in fishing gear, and boat strikes remain major challenges that threaten the survival of dugong populations worldwide, making continued conservation and management strategies essential.
