‘Create database to monitor population’

Under threat: The dugong population in Johor is facing extinction, especially in the southern-most areas of the state, due to vast land reclamation works.

JOHOR BARU: Researchers should create a database to monitor the population and movement of dugong within Malaysian waters, especially in southern Johor, Malaysian Nature Society Johor chairman Vincent Chow said.

Such a database would give a clearer picture on the mammal, including its migratory pattern and dietary habits, he said.

Chow said researchers should take a similar approach to what was being done on animals such as elephants and tigers which were being tagged to keep track on them constantly.

“Currently, there is no specific monitoring system for the dugong species unlike for whales,” he said in an interview.

Chow said that data compiled through tagging could help authorities to locate the mammals and keep an eye on them.

The dugong population in Johor is facing extinction, especially in the southern-most areas of the state, due to vast land reclamation works.

Johor’s western coastline areas of Sungai Pulai and Pulau Merambong near Gelang Patah and some parts of Tanjung Bin in Pontian are rich with the type of seagrass, which is the main diet of the dugong.

Chow believes that the dugong would be extinct within 25 years if no measures were taken by the authorities to look into the problem.

With no documentation on the dugong in Johor waters, he said information was based purely on the sightings by local fishermen.

Like salmon which would return to its birthplace to spawn, he said dugong was known to return to Sungai Pulai, Pulau Merambong and Tanjung Bin to give birth as the seagrass areas were the perfect hideout for them.

The dugong, he said, were “loyal” to their partners.

“If their partners die, the other one would experience depression and would also die not long after,” he said.

Chow said the decline in the number of dugong and other marine life in the areas was a clear indication of the deterioration of water quality.

The tell-tale signs were already there as the number of dugong in those areas had already declined by half now compared to those seen in the 1960s and 1970s, he added.

Chow suggested that the authorities engage with stakeholders, including environmentalists, scientists and non-governmental organisations and local communities, on matters related to the environment.

“We are not against any development but it must take into consideration of the environmental impact.

“Developers should strictly adhere to the guidelines and it all boils down to enforcement,” he said.