The CMS Dugong MoU Signatory meeting is being held in Abu Dhabi, from Oct. 4 to 6.
Palau has joined Vanuatu in signing the convention which is in line with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Regional Dugong Action Plan 2008. Action 8.2 in the plan is to “Encourage Pacific range states to sign the CMS MOU for the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats”.
Palau’s Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism Harry R. Fritz, signed the MoU on behalf of Palau and Mr Vatu Molisa of the Vanuatu Department of Environment and Conservation signed the MoU on behalf of Vanuatu.
In Palau, proponents of dugong protection wanted illegal poaching and strict enforcement to be implemented.
Mandy Etpison, Managing Director of the Etpison Museum and coordinator of the Dugong Awareness program earlier said that they are finding ways to improve local enforcement against dugong poaching which will be part of the program and this is through coordination with the state and national government in coming up with regulations to enforce the law.
The aim of the campaign is to attract attention to Palau’s most endangered marine mammal species.
Although protected by law, local poaching remains a problem.
It was learned that local fishermen still hunt these creatures using spears, nets and dynamite, and admitted Palau’s traditional chiefs order dugong meat from them for special occasions.
The United Arab Emirates will assist Palau in the protection of dugongs.
Abu Dhabi has a large population of dugongs, unlike Palau, which has the smallest most isolated population in the world.
