Observations on the stranding and incidental catch of sea cow Dugong dugon (Muller) along the southeast coast of India are reviewed here.  The number of incidental catch and stranded Dugongs were greater in the Gulf of Mannar than in the Palk Bay region during 1994-2000. The need for protection and conservation of Dugongs from indiscriminate exploitation are stressed upon to evolve suitable management strategies

Badrudeen, M

Dorairaj, K

Nammalwar, P

Nammalwari, P

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Status of Sea cow Dugong Dugon (Muller) Along the Southeast Coast of India

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of the Bombay Natural History Society, 101 (3, Sep-Dee 2004 381-387 STATUS OF SEA-COW D W m  DUGOM @ V I ~ L E R )  ALONG THE S U W h  M. BADRLIDEEN~, P. AMMALWAR~' ND b"l 'Accepted February 2003 - Central Marine Fisheries Research Insl 9 'Present Address: Mandapam Regional E Email: dmarn@hotmail.com "Present Madras Observations on the str India are reviewed here in the Palk Bay region exploitation are s h s d  upon to no i re sab le  man~ememt m g i m .  Key words: Dugong dugon, distribution, stranding, inciden INTRODUmON oast in the Gulf pf Mannar and Palk Bay, on the e 18th Century, naturalists like MOller, Lacepede ben reported the occurrence of Dugong in different Indian Ocean. In the early 20th Century, Annandade 907) and Thomas (1966) gave an account of the Jones (1 959,1%7a, 1967b), and Nair and La1 Mohan alt with the distribution, abundance, habits and food, of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute am Camp. Jones (1966) pointed out the need for and conservation of Dugongs fkom indiscriminate fqr 197 1 - 1975 fim P@k B y  md Gulf of Mannar. 79) made an osteol@giml ~ ~ d y  of Dugongs. Janaes James and La1 Mohan (1987) rmnd Ld Mohm (2000) of Sea-cow; Krishnapillai et d. (1991) i (1999), and Balasubramanian and Emhmm, r',::lnvf wen .I;# ~tal catch, conservation i have reported stranded Dugongs from the Mandqam waters. The Wildlife Warden of Gulf of Mannar Marine National PaPk, Rarnanathapuram periodically observed stranded Dugongs doers. comm.). Designated as a National Biosphere Reserve, the Gulf of Mannar and its 3,600 species of flora and fauna is one of the biologically richest coastal regions of India. It is equally rich in sea weeds, algae, sea grass, coral reefs, p k l  banks, sacred chank beds shellfish resources, mangroves and the endemic and endangered marine mammal - Dugong. The first author made personal observations, as well as extensive enquiries with fishermen on stranded Dugong along the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay coasts during 1994- 1998, the details of which are presented in this paper. The present study may throw more light on the need for conservation of these endangered species along the Indian Coasts. Dugongs entangled in incidental catches and stranded in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay regions were considered for the studies. Details of sex, length, weight and other morphometric charaoters were noted. Distribution Dugongs are widely diSr%mW in P$re & q i d  Indo- Pacific region. Actor* to -2.. .-, -.: - 9 lmm the show line ~I:;~.~v:j.: SEA-COW STATUS ALONG M E  SOUTHEAST COAST OF INDIA during 1959-1970. Two males, 160 cm and Acacia fibre with a mesh size of 10-15 cm. Dugong net is a growth rate of4.3 cm per year, while the second grew promulgation of the Indian Wildlife (Protaction) Act, 1972. with an average growth rate of 2.8 cm per year in an Occasionally, dugongs get entangled in 'Thinrkai Vdai', a gill ear period. The growth of the first Dugong was faster net with large meshes exclusively used for catching rays. OBSERVATIONS - 16.12.86 20.3.98 30.4.98 - 28 3.99 - 23.3.59 240 242 226 310 245 281 268 162 113 95 14.8 14.5 24.8 21.0 24.5 22.0 12.5 17.5 43.5 34.5 54 35 40 3 1 27 14.5 19.3 174 156.5 150.2 between submental 995 124.5 115 80.5 62.6 between snout to anus - 270 160 origin of genital opening - - 160 121 58 26 14.5 neck (Origin of flipper) - ence in origin of flipper - Male Female Female Male Male Male Male Male - 180 bay Nat. Hist. Soc, 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004 Table 2: Incidental catch and stranding of Sea-cow in the Gulf of Mannar S. No. Date Place of capture Method of capture and stranding Approximate Sex Source of information Remarks Length Weight (cm) (kg) Periapattinam Pudumadam Appa Island Periapattinam Kilakkarai Kilakkarai Mundal (Valinokkam) Kannirajapuram Valinokkam Periapattinam Kalimankundu Periapattinam Rameswaram Seeniappa Darha Valinokkam Kilakkarai Seeniappa Darha Kilakkarai Valinokkam Muthupettai Periapattinam Seeniappa Darha Seeniappa Darha Periapattinam Alagankulam CMFRl Jetty Mandapam (Gulf of Mannar) Tharuvaikulam Died due to shock from dynamiting Caught in shore seine Not known Washed ashore Washed ashore in semi-decomposed condition Not known Washed ashore Not known Shore seine Shore seine Not known Thirukkai Valai (net) Not known Mayavalai (net) Thirukkai Valai (net) Shore seine Dead washed ashore, body with shark bite Bottom set gill net Thirukkai Valai Thirukkai Valai Thirukkai Valai Caught in gill net Found dead in the sea no-injuries Washed ashore with propeller injuries, partially damaged Washed ashore Caught in drift gill net - Female Male Male Male - Female - Female 400 Male 300 250 Female 80 Female 60 Female 75 Female 500 Female 400 120 200 45 25 70 100 60 160 60 Female 280 35 74 Male 30 35 120 200 Male 210 Male 803 Male 30 Male Reported by CMFRl Staff Reported by fishermen, sold at shore Reported by Wildlife Warden Ramanathapuram Informed by CMFRl staff Brought to Periapattinam and sold Inspected by Wildlife Warden and buried Sold at shore Sold at shore, flesh confiscated by official, seller fined Rs. 30001- Sold at shore lnspected by NPM office also and buried Sold at shore lnspected by Wildlife Warden, buried Buried Semi decomposed condition; buried. Informed by CMFRl Staff SEA-COW STATUS ALONG THE hing nets. Tables 1-3 give the number of Lhgon$s g 1994-98. Out of 25 Dugongs, three w m  sttad J and two at Valinokkam in the GulfofM of four dugongs were caught in Palk h two were stranded, one at Alaghllnrm Morpannai (found in decomposed cond-h Bneal caught in gill nets, one at Je sad Alagankulam (Table 3). In mo a d  ate weight of the animals could be &at&, re Dugongs were stranded in the Gulf of M m a r  lk Bay region. This may be due to extensive sea distributed from Rameswaram to Pamban near the as well as in and around the islands of Gulf of depths up to 5 m. It also forms a congenial habitat mg and feeding, including the Gulf of Kutch region. the Palk Bay region, Dugongs were captured at Tondi palaikudi, Karankadu, Nambuthalai, Mullimunai and (Fig. 1). The catches were either locally consumed r Tondi. In the Gulf of Mannar, of islands comprising Hare Island, Talayari Island, iamunai Island, and Anaipar ethukkari are potential grounds e majority of Dugongs were ear shore waters of Valinokkam, du, Periapattinam, Seeniappadarha, i in the Gulf of Mannar (Table 2). also reported that the sightings of Dugongs are thurai and Periapattinm. cidental catch and stranding of Dugongs were wed from Alagankulam and Jegathapattinam, and at Morpannai and Alagankulam in the Palk Bay ! joUTHM COPST OF INDIA The net Galled 'Xwlia Valai" which was once used in t f r e ~ o ~ s n d ~ ~ y k i n o t i n ~ o n d u e t o t h e  parts were buried. Most of the Dugongs captured in €h!f of h4mmar and Paik Bay were between 170 and 280 m 10% aLcoQI.diaig to Nair et al. (1 975). The largest individual of406 cm length was reported from Saurashtra coast, but the accuracy of the measurements is doubtful (Silas 196 1). Turner (1894) described a captive dugong foetus measuring 1 to 1.5 m in length. Jones (1959) recorded a 95 cm long juvenile kept alive in an aquarium and stuffed in the CMFRI Museum at Mandapam camp after its death; an c. 1 10 cm long juvenile caught in a bottom set giil-net on September 8,1955 atAdirampattinam and 150 crn long juvenile collected on December 26,1956 reared in the marine fsh pond that lived for 4 months. Recently, a Dugong stranded near Kilakkarai was found with a foetus of about 150 cm. From the above observations, it is clear that a young Dugong at birth may be 95 to 150 cm long and weigh c. 20 kg. Stranding Stranding of Dugongs was rare. Most animals landed in decomposed condition and the nature of the wound could not be established. One Dugong stranded at Alagankulam on March 20, 1998 had no injury, but a dugong stranded at the CMFRI jetty on April 30,1998 had a cut made by the propeller of a mechanised trawler in near shore waters (Victor et al. 1999). One dugong landed on the Gulf of Mannar side of Mandapam on March 28,1999 in semidecomposed condition. Table 3: Incidental catch and strandings of Dugongs in the Palk Bay Date Place of capture Method of Approximate Sex Source of information and remarks and stranding capture Length Weight t (m) (kg) , 16.02.1995 Jegathapattinam Gill net 150 Reported by fishermen, brought to Periapattinam and sold at sea shore I 11.10.1997 Morpannai I 20.03.1998 Alagankulam Washed ashore in decomposed condition Found dead, brought ashore by fishermen Male Informed by FRAD staff, buried Male Inspected by CMFRI staff and Wildlife Warden and buried 92.07.1998 Alagankulam Caught in gill 60 Male Reported by fishermen, was net, died cut and sold at sea shore C )bay Nat. Hist. Soc, 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004 385 SEA-COW STATUS ALONG THE SOUTHEAST MAST OF INDIA There were some reports of stranded Dugongs with no injuries. Dynamite fishing is another cause of the death of Dugongs in this area. Explosives are usually used for fish shoals, but they affect nearby dugongs, which mostly die due to shock. On December 14, 1994 a Dugong was found dead after use of dynamite for fishing. Krishnapillai et al. (1989) reported killing of Dugong by dynamite at Mandapam. Conservation and Management Annandale (1 905) has reported non-availability of more than one dugong at a time in the Gulf of Mannar. Many hundreds were reported in the area earlier. Jones (1967b) has stated that there has been a considerable fall in the Dugong population, and he also cited fishermen reporting that a large number of Dugongs were found dead and that thereafter they have become rare. Fishermen also attributed the mortality of dugongs to scarcity of sea grass beds which perished after flooding of rain water. Silas and Fernando (1 985) stressed the need for conservation of Dugongs and proposed several conservation and management strategies. La1 Mohan (1 99 l), Silas el al. (1985) and James (1985) stressed upon the need for the effective conservation of dugongs, masine mammals and other marine animals, proposing several conservation programmes and the formation of a National Marine Park in the Gulf of Mannar. There is global concern for the protection of the Dugong, and in India today the residual population of this species in the Gulf ~f Mannar and Palk Bay is the most vulnerable and facing extinction. Dugongs are not prolific breeders. Moreover, the destruction of grazing beds has confined the animals to a restricted belt of sea grass. Earlier reports as well as the recent stranding and incidental catches, prescribe the need for intensified efforts to conserve marine mammals, particularly Dugongs. Indian Ocean Alliance Conference held in the Seychelles in 198 1 recommended that priority be given to Dugong survey in the Indian Ocean, with the aim of monitoring and protecting local populations and consider the feasibility of re- establishment. The IUCN Commission of National Park and World Wide Fund (WWF) identified the Reserve as being an area of "Particular concern" due to its diversity and special multiple- =.management status. In addition, Gulf of Mannar, as the fhhmwimbimphwe reserve declared in India, has long been 8- a-t of India and state ofTamil Nadu jointly set up W Waf Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (GOMNBRE) on February 18,1989. The Govemmq Nadu in the GOMs. No. 962 dated September 10,l S under section 35(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) M intention to declare the 2 1 islands as Marine Natiot - the purpose of protecting marine wildlife and its e M  including 3.5 fathoms depth on bayside to 5 fath on the seaward side. The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park i by the wildlife wardens of Ramanathapuram, h Kilakkarai and Tuticorin, who are provided.with q wireless communication network and boats f w  and patrolling. 3 . , Action plan Effective steps are required towards coma management ofmarine mammals, particularly the I the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, and an action needed. Staff strength of Gulf of Mannar N Wildlife Warden needs to be increased. Frq should be made to the villages where illegal1 cutting of Dugong is done. Intensive watd made near the shore to stop setting of n@ grass beds. Action needs to be taken to create and interest in Dugongs and a detailed d habits, habitats and behaviour needs tw out. Scientific data, such as length, weigh should be updated. t 4. Mechanized trawlers should be stopped .se from the shore where there is extensive grass. * Fishing zones and sanctuaries mus protect the fauna. 6. Illegal fishing using dynamite must be I@ laws enacted to curb it. 7. Public awareness has to be created, e s d  fishing villages. The village Pancha~ role in creating awareness. Warnings through ~ o s t e r s  and other ~ u b l i c i  - .  proclaiming severe punishment fbr c up Dugongs. 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMEN We acknowledge Dr. M. Devaraj, Former Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICA encouragement and guidance. ' J. Bombay Nat. Wist. Soc., 50 SEA-COW STATUS ALONG THE SOUTHEA!jT COAST OF INDIA REPERENCES of dolphins and dugongs of Indian coast Bull. Cent. Ma,: Fish. Res. Inst. Cochin 44: 662-667 Jubilee Celebrations Souvenir 2000, Mrmdspam Regional Centre 21(2): 17-20. off Saurashtra coast. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 54% 216-217. NAIR, R.V., R.S. LAL MOHAN & K.S. SATYAN-ANA RAO (1975): The Dugong Dugongdugon. Bull. Cent. ~ a i ~ i s h .  Res. Ihsf. Cochin the Sea-cow, Dugongdugon in Captivity. Indian J. Fisheries ( I  rs 12(4): 210-217. PETIT, G (1924): Notes sur les dugongs des cotes de Madagascar. Bull. ): On a pair of captive dugongs Dugongdsgwa @&&en). Mw: Hisf. Nut. Paris. 2: 124- 127 Biol. Ass. India l(2): 198-202. PETIT, G. (1927a): Sur la dugong femelle capture a Mobombe pp. 245-249. PETIT, G (1 927c): Contribution a I'etudela Morphologie des sirenians sur un Dugong femelle capture a Morarnbe (Madagascar). Bull. Mus. Nut. Hist. Paris 34: pp. 5. PRATER, S.H. (1928): The dugong or Sea-cow. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. SOC. 31(2): 815-817. SILAS, E.G. (1 96 1): Occurrence of the Sea-cow Halicore dugong(Erx1) off the Saurashtra coast. J. Bombay. Nut. Hist. Soc. 58: 263- SEAS, E.G. &A. BASTIN FERNANDO (1 985): The Dugong in India - is it going the way of the Dodo. Proc. Symp. Endangered Marine Animals and Marine Parks 1: 167-176. TLLA~, S., J.D. AMBROSE & M. BADRUDEEN (1991): On a young 425. (1999): On the stranding of See-cam at &gmkdan io the Palk Bay and CMFRI jetty in the GulfdMmmr. Mar Fish.  info^ Sem. T & E. Ser. 159: 19. m . .  

Status of sea cow Dugong dugon (Muller) along the Southeast coast of India

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Status of sea cow Dugong dugon (Muller) along the Southeast coast of India

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