Dugong News. How inappropriate to call this plant Earth, when it is clearly Ocean! In the Headlines. Dear Dugong conservation Supporters,

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1 Dugong Emergency Protection Project Second Quarter September 2012 Dugong News How inappropriate to call this plant Earth, when it is clearly Ocean! In the Headlines Dear Dugong conservation Supporters, P2 P3 P4 P5 P5 P6 Enhancing Law Enforcement in the National Park. Supporter s Page. Joining forces; Collaborating for Conservation. Sustainable income for Dugong Protection. Environmental Education Conservation Calendar This month s edition of our Project News delivers some of the major conservation successes and achievements since April, and highlights how friends and supporters have gone the extra mile to assist the Bazaruto Archipelago Dugong Emergency Protection Project during the second quarter of Our short term goal remains focused on mitigating human-induced threats to Dugongs and their habitat by enhancing law enforcement in the Bazaruto National Park through technical and advisory support to the Park authority. By way of funding from Save Our Species and the Price Bernhard Nature Foundation, the project s long term goals have developed to include the identification of alternative livelihoods for fishing communities, the establishment of a certified sustainable seafood initiative, and identifying conservation partners to address fisheries management. The following highlights summarize our work this quarter, and should provide you with a brief overview of our progress. Enjoy the read! Local Knowledge The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park was proclaimed in 1971 with the primary objective of conserving Dugong and Turtles. 5 species of marine turtles occur in the National Park: Green, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Olive ridley, and Hawksbill.

2 Enhancing Law Enforcement in the National Park Designing systems & processes, increasing patrols, mapping & standardizing penalties for infringements all in a day s work Conserving the last viable population of Dugongs along east Africa s coastline is an assignment that the EWT undertook in 2010 through creating the Dugong Emergency Protection Project. In order to mitigate the principal threat to Bazaruto s Dugongs, the project would focus its efforts on assisting the National Park apply effective law enforcement so as to mitigates Dugong entanglement in illegal fishing nets. Two years later, after staging a lengthy awareness campaign, raising enough funds to implement the project, and securing a support Partnership with the national Directorate of Conservation Areas- we have developed a revised law enforcement strategy for the National Park. The strategy includes the design of patrol routes, performing patrol monitoring and mapping, and thanks to the Prince Bernhard Foundation and Save our Species, we were able to purchase two patrol boats and fuel for marine patrols for six months. The Park scouts have christened these vessels as Dugongo & Tubaroa (Dugong & Shark), and their delivery to the Park is expected by the end of September. Thanks to support from Marlin Lodge; the Project s sole Patron Supporter, law enforcement in the Bazaruto Archipelago has been amplified in In August alone, the fuel and boat-usage provided by Marlin has allowed 661 km of additional marine patrol, primarily in Areas of Special Protection and known Dugong habitat. Owing to the absence of standardized operational systems, the Project has created a set of uniform penalties for infringements that occur inside the National Park. These penalties will be announced and circulated to all fisher associations and amongst the general public in November. This information pamphlet will include a map which indicates the Park s three different usage zones and allowable activities within each zone. EWT Commends: Zacharias Mufume For his outstanding work ethic and commitment to conservation in The Bazaruto Archipelago NP during August. 22

3 Endangered Wildlife Trust lorem Dugong ipsum Emergency dolor Protection Project Second Quarter issue, 2012 date Supporter s Page 1. Our Patron Supporters increase patrol effort Marlin Lodge is an island destination with heart; an establishment that gives back to the environment and that supports the local community Alongside: A red border represents the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park boundary. This encompasses 1,430 km2 of marine protected area, and no more than 150 Dugongs. The green tracks are marine patrols conducted in collaboration with Marlin Lodge during August; a total of 661km (average patrol distance being 41,4 km). More Project Donors 2. Recognizing local stakeholder Support: Odyssea Dive Since policing the entire National Park at all times is not possible given the extent of the area and the limited amount of resources at our disposal. We therefore count on the local dive and tourism operators to report any illegal fishing activity and prohibited activities that they encounter. It almost goes without saying that operators have a vested interest in the well-being of the National Park, and that their contribution to conservation ensures the sustainability of their businesses. Thanks to Odyssea Dive, we were able to locate and fine a boat called Mamba registered to Ilha Vista from Vilancuos. This boat was sighted fishing on 2-mile Reef; an Area of Special Protection, and was immediately reported to EWT. Furthermore, Odyssea Dive is assisting the EWT motivate a legislative ban on ray harvesting. Denis and Sabrina regularly provide EWT with data of ray capture in Vilanculos, and are keeping tabs on what species are being harvested. We commend Odyssea Dive for their constant relay of information that assists us enhance law enforcement in the National Park! We encourage all dive and tourism operators to report any fishing infringement or illegal activities occurring in the National Park. Please contact Karen on the number below: REPORTING HOTLINE: (00258)

4 Joining forces Collaborating for Conservation Recording Dugong Sightings Look out for a group of 7 Dugongs near Santa Carolina, 2 of these are calves. Please report your sighting, and any observed illegal activity within the National Park. EWT would like to keep a record of all Dugong sighted in the Bazaruto Archipelago. We have found that many local operators regularly observe Dugongs, but this valuable information is lost or forgotten. In order to create a database and an annual map of sightings, we would like to encourage all local stakeholders and visitors to record their Dugong encounters. Should you have access to a handheld GPS, marking the coordinates of the Dugong s position would be ideal. You can mail your sighting and GPS coordinates to Karen at: karena@ewt.org.za. Noting the general location and number of Dugongs can also be done by completing a Sighting s form. These will be available at the following locations: Marlin Lodge Benguerra Lodge Azura Lodge Indigo Bay Pestana Bazaruto Lodge Odyssea Dive Big Blue Sailaway Dive Safaris, & The National Park offices in Vilanculos. Forms will be collected each month and a map of collective sightings will be circulated amongst all stakeholders. Responsible Seafood it s YOUR CHOICE Seafood: It s nearing the end of the line 90% of top predatory fish stocks have been depleted from our oceans, and 63% of assessed global fish stocks still require re-building. Global per capita fish consumption has been steadily increasing from an average of 9.9 kg in the 1960s to 16.4 kg in This hardly surprising as seafood is seen as a healthier alternative to red meat, and is what every visitor to the Bazaruto Archipelago expects to eat generous amounts of. But the increasing demand for seafood is depleting certain fish stocks. Through consumer demand however, a seafood lover s choice can influence markets, and define what is removed from the ocean and plated at your local restaurant or staff canteen. You can make the difference! The EWT will soon introduce a Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SSI) in the Bazaruto Archipelago, empowering lodges, restaurants, and hotels to make a difference, and take a stand against harvesting unsustainable and reef fish. These establishments would pledge to buy only sustainable fish species from a number of certified suppliers. SSI compliant establishments will receive EWT endorsement, and associated media and marketing advantages. This initiative is modeled on the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) - for the love of our oceans. See The SSI will also enable local fishermen to explore an alternative sustainable livelihood, whereby exchanging their gill or seine nets for accredited hand-line fisheries. In order for the SSI to be successful, the full support of all lodges, restaurants and hotels throughout the Bazaruto Archipelago will be required. 4

5 lorem Dugong ipsum Emergency dolor Protection Project Second Quarter issue, 2012 date Sustainable Income for Dugong Protection In order to raise additional income to augment marine patrols in the National Park, EWT has partnered with Machilla Magic- a Mozambican community upliftment arts & crafts enterprise. The sale of hand carved Dugongs and fabric turtle-paperweights generates funds to mitigate Dugong entanglement in gill nets. Visit the Machilla Magic Website for more information on their products and artists: Environmental Education The eager learners of Benguerra primary school took to the football field on 14 August to participate in yet another interactive marinethemed lesson. The conservation message in this particular tutorial demonstrated a sustainable tip for fishing. While some learners took the role of various sized fish (top right), the rest of the children formed a simulated net around the shoal (bottom right). With much delight, the net began closing in, and finally captured the fish. But what to do with the inedible small fish? After a short debate, it was decided that all juvenile fish should be released back into the sea so that these could mature and later feed more people. For just R5000, YOU could sponsor an island child s secondary schooling (including lodging and meals) for a year. For more information on the secondary schooling initiative, please contact: karena@ewt.org.za

6 Dugong Emergency Protection Project Second Quarter 2012 Conservation Calendar A few important dates to diarize: Dia De Mergulho: 27 & 29 September Arranged by Odyssea Dive to promote awareness of the importance of a healthy and protected marine environment. EWT will be hosting a marine-themed sandcastle competition. Come join us for some fun in the sun! Marine Week: October Be part of the global drive to protect Planet Ocean. Pledge your support to the EWT s Dugong Emergency Protection Project by becoming a project activist at: /11534/ Bazaruto Archipelago National Park Tourism Stakeholder Meeting: 1 October Join the EWT and BANP to discuss conservation concerns raised by the tourism operator sector. FYI The Bazaruto Dugong population at a glance: Last perceived viable population in the Western Indian Ocean Global population reduction of 20% in last generation Population estimated at maximum 200 animals Geographically isolated Maximum population growth: 5%/ annum Maximum off-take for stable population: 2 animals With Thanks The Dugong Emergency Protection Project wishes to extend its thanks to Martin Overy from Water Purification Chemical & Plant for his continued and regular support! Signing out until the next edition of Dugong News. Warm Regards, Karen. 6