The Union of Myanmar is one of the first signatory states of the Memorandum of Understanding on t... more The Union of Myanmar is one of the first signatory states of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and Their Habitats Throughout Their Range. Dugong trails were observed on seagrass beds of Lampi and Nyaung Wee Islands of the Myeik Archipelago in Tanintharyi Region in Southern Myanmar. Occurrence of dugongs in Tanintharyi Region was reported by local people. These are important messages to formulate dugong conservation and management in Myanmar. Dugongs have been protected by Law since 1994 and they are placed under the "Completely Protected Animals" category. Effective conservation activities on dugong have not been carried out by Myanmar yet. Lack of promotion in effective and scientific management of terrestrial and marine protected areas to meet representative samples of ecosystems, particularly to marine and coastal, is a major challenge encountered pertaining to biodiversity conservation in Myanmar. Furthermore, development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and its implementation is an urgent need of Myanmar.
[Extract] Since World War II, increased exploitation of primary resources has been the policy of ... more [Extract] Since World War II, increased exploitation of primary resources has been the policy of many Asian countries. Especially since the 1960s, there have been high birth rates and accelerated population growth in coastal areas. The population in Asia grows by 22.5% every ten years, with 60-70% of people living within 50km of the coast. This number is expected to double in the next 25-35 years. Rapid development coupled with a rapidly increasing human population in coastal areas has resulted in the degradation of coastal resources that were historically sustainable. Along with this intensified population growth, there has been a dramatic increase in commercial fishing. While coastal areas are vital to the needs and livelihoods of local peoples, human activities are, in many cases, degrading these areas. In South and Southeast Asia and China, as farmland becomes less available, immigration from overcrowded provinces into an open-access artisanal fishery industry has created an atmosphere of desperation that often places the dugong and its habitat at risk.
Ilangakoon, A. D., Tun, Tint (2007): Rediscovering The Dugong (Dugong Dugon) In Myanmar And Capac... more Ilangakoon, A. D., Tun, Tint (2007): Rediscovering The Dugong (Dugong Dugon) In Myanmar And Capacity Building For Research And Conservation. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 55 (1): 195-199
Fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins is unique to Myanmar. Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella br... more Fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins is unique to Myanmar. Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris, which live in about 74km segment of the Ayeyawady (previously known as Irrawaddy) in upper Myanmar help fishermen who use castnets for fishing. A total of 51 castnet fishermen from six villages can do fishing with the dolphins and about 21 dolphins in this river segment help the fishermen. Dolphins and fishermen communicate by audio and visual signals during the fishing. Fishermen can catch more fish with less fishing effort and dolphins can also feed easily on those fish which are stunned by the net throws. Irrawaddy dolphins have been protected by law in Myanmar since 1994. Nowadays, cooperative fishing practice between the Irrawaddy dolphins and castnet fishermen in Myanmar has been threatened with extinction by illegal electric fishing. It is an urgent need to study aquatic noise signals of dolphins, impacts of signals used by fishermen in communication with the dolphins and other noises such as boat noise on both dolphins and cooperative fishing practice.
The Union of Myanmar is one of the first signatory states of the Memorandum of Understanding on t... more The Union of Myanmar is one of the first signatory states of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and Their Habitats Throughout Their Range. Dugong trails were observed on seagrass beds of Lampi and Nyaung Wee Islands of the Myeik Archipelago in Tanintharyi Region in Southern Myanmar. Occurrence of dugongs in Tanintharyi Region was reported by local people. These are important messages to formulate dugong conservation and management in Myanmar. Dugongs have been protected by Law since 1994 and they are placed under the "Completely Protected Animals" category. Effective conservation activities on dugong have not been carried out by Myanmar yet. Lack of promotion in effective and scientific management of terrestrial and marine protected areas to meet representative samples of ecosystems, particularly to marine and coastal, is a major challenge encountered pertaining to biodiversity conservation in Myanmar. Furthermore, development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and its implementation is an urgent need of Myanmar.
Dugong is known as Ye wet (= Water pig) and Ye thu ma (= Mermaid) in Myanmar. Man Aung Island, ab... more Dugong is known as Ye wet (= Water pig) and Ye thu ma (= Mermaid) in Myanmar. Man Aung Island, about 55 miles in circumference, is situated at 18°47.898'N and 93°98.472'E in the Rakhine Coast of western Myanmar. It was known as Cheduba Island as an English name in the past. Dugongs live in shallow, near shore waters of north, east and southeastern Man Aung. Dugongs are sighted mostly in the raining season. They particularly like Halophila ovalis seagrass species. Usually solitary but they could also be found in groups of two to three animals. They love their family, especially their "child", very much. Fishermen are of the opinion that dugongs make a cough-like sound, "a hoot, a hoot, …", in the water. The mating season of dugong occurs in the transitional period between the end of the rainy season and start of the winter. Dugong meat and bones are used as traditional medicine. Dugongs are protected by Law. Accidental mortality in fishing nets is still prevalent. Geographic position and nature attributes around the island prevail the occurrence of dugongs. Man Aung Island definitely deserves to be nominated as a place for focusing future activities on dugong research and conservation in Myanmar.
Discussion This research was supported by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The author is grat... more Discussion This research was supported by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The author is grateful to WCS and the castnet fishermen from Hsithe, Myitkangyi and Myayzun villages for their enthusiastic help in this research.
The Union of Myanmar is one of the first signatory states of the Memorandum of Understanding on t... more The Union of Myanmar is one of the first signatory states of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and Their Habitats Throughout Their Range. Dugong trails were observed on seagrass beds of Lampi and Nyaung Wee Islands of the Myeik Archipelago in Tanintharyi Region in Southern Myanmar. Occurrence of dugongs in Tanintharyi Region was reported by local people. These are important messages to formulate dugong conservation and management in Myanmar. Dugongs have been protected by Law since 1994 and they are placed under the "Completely Protected Animals" category. Effective conservation activities on dugong have not been carried out by Myanmar yet. Lack of promotion in effective and scientific management of terrestrial and marine protected areas to meet representative samples of ecosystems, particularly to marine and coastal, is a major challenge encountered pertaining to biodiversity conservation in Myanmar. Furthermore, development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and its implementation is an urgent need of Myanmar.
[Extract] Since World War II, increased exploitation of primary resources has been the policy of ... more [Extract] Since World War II, increased exploitation of primary resources has been the policy of many Asian countries. Especially since the 1960s, there have been high birth rates and accelerated population growth in coastal areas. The population in Asia grows by 22.5% every ten years, with 60-70% of people living within 50km of the coast. This number is expected to double in the next 25-35 years. Rapid development coupled with a rapidly increasing human population in coastal areas has resulted in the degradation of coastal resources that were historically sustainable. Along with this intensified population growth, there has been a dramatic increase in commercial fishing. While coastal areas are vital to the needs and livelihoods of local peoples, human activities are, in many cases, degrading these areas. In South and Southeast Asia and China, as farmland becomes less available, immigration from overcrowded provinces into an open-access artisanal fishery industry has created an atmosphere of desperation that often places the dugong and its habitat at risk.
Ilangakoon, A. D., Tun, Tint (2007): Rediscovering The Dugong (Dugong Dugon) In Myanmar And Capac... more Ilangakoon, A. D., Tun, Tint (2007): Rediscovering The Dugong (Dugong Dugon) In Myanmar And Capacity Building For Research And Conservation. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 55 (1): 195-199
Fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins is unique to Myanmar. Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella br... more Fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins is unique to Myanmar. Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris, which live in about 74km segment of the Ayeyawady (previously known as Irrawaddy) in upper Myanmar help fishermen who use castnets for fishing. A total of 51 castnet fishermen from six villages can do fishing with the dolphins and about 21 dolphins in this river segment help the fishermen. Dolphins and fishermen communicate by audio and visual signals during the fishing. Fishermen can catch more fish with less fishing effort and dolphins can also feed easily on those fish which are stunned by the net throws. Irrawaddy dolphins have been protected by law in Myanmar since 1994. Nowadays, cooperative fishing practice between the Irrawaddy dolphins and castnet fishermen in Myanmar has been threatened with extinction by illegal electric fishing. It is an urgent need to study aquatic noise signals of dolphins, impacts of signals used by fishermen in communication with the dolphins and other noises such as boat noise on both dolphins and cooperative fishing practice.
The Union of Myanmar is one of the first signatory states of the Memorandum of Understanding on t... more The Union of Myanmar is one of the first signatory states of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and Their Habitats Throughout Their Range. Dugong trails were observed on seagrass beds of Lampi and Nyaung Wee Islands of the Myeik Archipelago in Tanintharyi Region in Southern Myanmar. Occurrence of dugongs in Tanintharyi Region was reported by local people. These are important messages to formulate dugong conservation and management in Myanmar. Dugongs have been protected by Law since 1994 and they are placed under the "Completely Protected Animals" category. Effective conservation activities on dugong have not been carried out by Myanmar yet. Lack of promotion in effective and scientific management of terrestrial and marine protected areas to meet representative samples of ecosystems, particularly to marine and coastal, is a major challenge encountered pertaining to biodiversity conservation in Myanmar. Furthermore, development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and its implementation is an urgent need of Myanmar.
Dugong is known as Ye wet (= Water pig) and Ye thu ma (= Mermaid) in Myanmar. Man Aung Island, ab... more Dugong is known as Ye wet (= Water pig) and Ye thu ma (= Mermaid) in Myanmar. Man Aung Island, about 55 miles in circumference, is situated at 18°47.898'N and 93°98.472'E in the Rakhine Coast of western Myanmar. It was known as Cheduba Island as an English name in the past. Dugongs live in shallow, near shore waters of north, east and southeastern Man Aung. Dugongs are sighted mostly in the raining season. They particularly like Halophila ovalis seagrass species. Usually solitary but they could also be found in groups of two to three animals. They love their family, especially their "child", very much. Fishermen are of the opinion that dugongs make a cough-like sound, "a hoot, a hoot, …", in the water. The mating season of dugong occurs in the transitional period between the end of the rainy season and start of the winter. Dugong meat and bones are used as traditional medicine. Dugongs are protected by Law. Accidental mortality in fishing nets is still prevalent. Geographic position and nature attributes around the island prevail the occurrence of dugongs. Man Aung Island definitely deserves to be nominated as a place for focusing future activities on dugong research and conservation in Myanmar.
Discussion This research was supported by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The author is grat... more Discussion This research was supported by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The author is grateful to WCS and the castnet fishermen from Hsithe, Myitkangyi and Myayzun villages for their enthusiastic help in this research.
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