Johor Marine Park optimistic of conserving dugong habitat

PULAU SIBU: The Johor Department of Marine Park Malaysia (JTLMNJ) is optimistic of its efforts to conserve the habitat of the dugong, which is the icon of the waters off Mersing, said its head of Education and Information Interpretation, Nor Sallehuddin Md Ali.
To this effect, he said various efforts had been undertaken, including educating fishermen, boat owners, and tourists not to venture near the habitat of these shy mammals, which are being threatened with extinction.
The latest figures show that there are about 50 dugong in these waters.
To achieve its objectives, the department is working with agencies such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as well as public and private companies to conduct research, which would contribute to the conservation of the dugong.
“The main focus of the JTLMNJ is to ensure the continuity of marine life, which is threatened with extinction, such as the dugong, and for that, we will always work to ensure that their main source of food, which is seaweed, is preserved and not destroyed in these waters.
“Information-sharing with villagers will hopefully, prevent dugong deaths caused by human ignorance, like being trapped in the fisherman’s drift nets, collision with boats and water pollution,” he told Bernama after the ‘Eco Volunteers’ programme (13th edition), organised by BIMB Holdings Berhad at the JTLMNJ Centre in Pulau Tinggi.
In the waters off Mersing, dugong habitats have been found in Pulau Sibu, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah, Pulau Seribuat and Pulau Rawa.
Meanwhile, BIMB Holdings Berhad group chief strategy officer, Hizamuddin Jamaluddin said the 'Eco Volunteers' programme was the organisation’s show of support for JTLMNJ in its efforts to promote marine life in Mersing waters.
The corporate social responsibility programme was first held in April, followed by a second programme, the following month.
Hizamuddin said programmes such as these would expose and educate students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi on the importance of environment conservation, including not disturbing the eco-system of marine life. — Bernama