Posted on April, 22 2008

Maputo, Mozambique – One dugong (Dugong dugon), an endangered species in Mozambique and in the world, was found dead in Inhassoro, Inhambane province, near the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BNAP). Thanks to information given by a local tourism operator, dugong parts and of other species, like the great white shark and marine turtles, were discovered and all involved people arrested.

The dead dugong, which was already divided in several parts, was intentionally caught by an old fisherman (aged 58) with the help of other people using a gillnet; a non-recommended fishing art in BANP surrounding areas, to its potential risk to endangered species like marine turtles and dugongs.

In response to this terrific discovery, a task-team consisting of several entities like WWF, BNAP, the Navy and local marine authorities (ADMAR) was set-up with the mission to identify all possible hiding-places and suspicious activities. As result, several green marine turtle (Chelonia mydas) carcasses, great white shark parts, dugong carcasses, gillnets, cutlasses, axes, knives and fishing boats were confiscated.

“The information given by the tourism operator and the fact that people do it (killing endangered species) isolatedly proves that the awareness work being carried out in Vilankulo, Inhassoro and BNAP is working; people are aware of the importance of theses species and will continue protecting them, either by denunciations or by not fishing them”, said Mário Fumo, the Environmental Education Officer at WWF Mozambique.

According to Mozambican legislation on Fauna, the offenders incur a fine of almost 6 thousand US dollars and 3 months in jail. All accused people have already been arrested.

“The joint mission did a remarkable work…I think this should be taken as good lesson by other protected areas in the country”, said Dr. Kemal Vaz, a consultant involved in the revision of the BANP Management Plan.

WWF Mozambique, in partnership with local stakeholders, have been developing and implementing communication and environmental education campaigns in the BANP and surrounding areas, namely Inhassoro and Vilankulo districts. These awareness activities have lead to many successes and challenges that inspire the organization to continue with its activities not only in this region, but in other sensitive areas in the country.