Proposed regulations for the 1,700sq km dugong sanctuary in Mersing waters are being reviewed by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), as authorities seek to reduce deaths caused by boat strikes.
Johor Fisheries Department director Rosmawati Ghazali said the proposed measures included requiring boats to go slow within the sanctuary area to reduce the risk of the mammals being struck by propellers.
“Dugongs need to surface to breathe every two hours.
“Based on our records, most deaths are caused by boat propellers as vessels pass through the area,” she told Bernama in Kota Tinggi, after observing the deployment of “cheese block” coral restoration modules off Pulau Tinggi.
She said dugongs could recover from some injuries to the body, but strikes to the neck were often fatal.
“Operators therefore need to slow their boats to a certain speed.”
She said one dugong death was reported at Tanjung Leman this year, compared with three last year involving two calves and an adult.
The deaths were believed to have been caused by boat propellers or entanglement in fishing nets.
Rosmawati said the actual number of deaths could be higher, as carcasses might drift to remote areas and go unreported.
She said Mersing waters were estimated to have about 100 dugongs, based on studies by marine mammal research and conservation group MareCet, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and other parties.
Pulau Sibu had extensive seagrass beds that provided an important habitat for dugongs, she said, adding that one such mammal was spotted surfacing near the island in August.
Meanwhile, Rosmawati said marine conservation efforts also included a 1,500sq km lobster refugia around Pulau Aur.
Fishing restrictions at the site included a closed season from December to February, while lobsters with a carapace measuring less than 6cm and egg-bearing females must be released, she said.
