The distribution of dugongs in the southwest Indian Ocean is fragmented, with very small populations. The Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique hosts the largest known population, while other countries only have limited data. Genetic analyses highlight a loss of diversity, increasing the species’ vulnerability and the need for coordinated action.
As part of the Dugong National Action Plan in Mayotte, and thanks to the Interreg Indian Ocean and Mozambique Channel projects, several Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are working together to strengthen conservation efforts. Field missions conducted in the Mayotte Marine Natural Park (2022–2025), the Mohéli Marine Park (2022) and parks managed by Madagascar National Parks (2026) aim to harmonize monitoring methods. These actions include fisher interviews, training in drone-based monitoring, and seagrass mapping.
In 2024, a partnership with the Bazaruto National Park made it possible to test an innovative technique: environmental DNA (eDNA), which had never been used before for dugongs. Finally, a regional data platform, co-developed with Indian Ocean stakeholders and the Memorandum of Understanding on Dugong, will facilitate the sharing of observations and the development of a photo-identification catalogue.
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