Dugong photographed in Lau Lagoon, Solomon Islands

September 27, 2016

Dugong sighted and photographed in Lau Lagoon (The Solomon Islands)

There is limited information regarding documentation of dugong sightings in Solomon Islands. Two dugongs frequently sighted by fishermen and travelers in Lau Lagoon were captured on camera. This was consequently the

Dugong photographed in Lau Lagoon, Solomon Islands
Dugong photographed in Lau Lagoon, Solomon Islands

It was welcoming news as people of the area had commented they no longer spotted these marine mammals along the coast in groups when compared to the past.

The ‘Dugong and Seagrass’ team shared with the communities the role of the mammals in the marine ecosystem and advised them to look after the dugongs. A community participant after hearing the talks on the importance of dugong and seagrass commented, “Before we used to assist dugong hunters, now we will be more responsible to and ward off hunting to ensure that the dugong population recovers in the Lagoon.”

This sighting is promising for the mammal in the Lagoon, the largest seagrass meadow in the country. However, the exact number of the mammals in the Lagoon remains unknown.