Understanding where the dugong presence, the condition of their seagrass habitats, and the knowledge held by local communities is essential for effective conservation. As part of the Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Initiative (DSCI), the ATSEA Program conducted a preliminary scoping mission in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara, from 22 to 24 April 2026 to identify priority areas for future conservation efforts and establish a baseline understanding of dugong occurrence and seagrass habitats.
Building on earlier coordination with government agencies, researchers, and Nusa Cendana University (UNDANA), the mission combined field observations with community engagement in Lithianak, Mbueain, Papela, Nemberala, and surrounding areas. At Lithianak Beach, the team assessed seagrass habitat conditions in an area previously identified as a dugong occurrence site, while interviews with fishers, community leaders, tourism operators, and local conservation organisations provided valuable insights into dugong distribution, habitat conditions, and changes observed over time.
The scoping confirmed that local ecological knowledge remains one of the most valuable sources of information for conservation planning in Rote Ndao. Community members reported dugong sightings in several locations, including Mbueain and Nuse Island, Hawana Beach, Bo’a and Helianak waters, Nemberala, and Tanjung Oisina in nearby Kupang waters. One of the most significant records was a stranded dugong calf found at Sai Beach in August 2025, which was successfully rescued and released. Communities also shared that dugongs, once hunted in previous decades, are now widely recognised as a protected species, reflecting growing awareness and support for conservation.
The mission also highlighted the close relationship between dugongs and healthy seagrass ecosystems. Across the sites visited, communities consistently identified seagrass meadows as the primary feeding habitat for dugongs. While seagrass remains present in areas such as Lithianak, Mbueain, Bo’a, and parts of Nemberala, community members noted that some habitats may have declined due to changing coastal activities, including seaweed farming. At the same time, baseline information on seagrass distribution, species composition, and condition remains limited, underscoring the need for more systematic ecological surveys.
Drawing on both field observations and local knowledge, the mission identified several priority areas for future conservation work, including Mbueain and Nuse Island, Lithianak, Bo’a, Nemberala, Papela, and Pukuafu. These locations will provide the initial focus for future surveys, helping ensure that conservation efforts are directed to areas with the strongest evidence of dugong presence and suitable seagrass habitat.
The next phase of the initiative will involve a questionnaire-based dugong and seagrass survey to document community observations in a more structured and systematic manner. The survey will generate baseline information on dugong occurrence, seagrass use, seasonal patterns, and habitat conditions while complementing future ecological assessments.
By combining scientific approaches with local ecological knowledge, the ATSEA Program and its partners are laying a strong foundation for evidence-based conservation planning in Rote Ndao. The preliminary scoping not only identified where dugongs and seagrass habitats remain but also strengthened the partnerships and community engagement needed to support the long-term conservation of these interconnected ecosystems.
By Ismail Syakurachman