An island community in Thailand works to protect and revive its dugongs – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Koh Libong sits off Thailand’s southern coast and once supported one of Southeast Asia’s largest populations of dugongs. The island’s extensive seagrass meadows provided critical habitat in nationally protected waters. Between 2020 and 2024 those meadows lost up to half their coverage, turning lush green fields into stretches of sand. The change has reduced food availability for the marine mammals and created new pressures on the roughly 3,000 residents who rely on the nearshore environment.
Timeline of Habitat Loss
Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has tracked the steady reduction in seagrass since 2020. Marine heat waves and dredging near river mouths rank among the main drivers cited by officials. The losses accelerated over four years, leaving large areas of former meadow bare. Protected status has not prevented the decline, which now affects the entire local ecosystem that once sustained both wildlife and human activity.
Consequences for Dugongs and Residents
Dugongs depend on the meadows for foraging, and the reduction in cover has coincided with a sharp drop in their numbers around Koh Libong. Emaciated animals that washed ashore showed signs of starvation in autopsies. Local fishers report that catches near shore have become unreliable, forcing longer trips that raise fuel expenses. One resident, Torfar Jongarap, noted that the food chain has degraded and that families who once gathered food by walking the shoreline now require boats for every outing. The economic effects extend beyond fishing. Dugong tourism once supplemented incomes for many households, yet sightings have grown less predictable. The combined pressure on fishing and tourism has altered daily routines across the island’s eight villages.
Local Response Through Volunteer Networks
Residents have organized to address the changes directly. Tipusa Sangsawang coordinates the Dugong Guardians, a volunteer group that spans all eight villages. Members monitor dugong presence, record habitat conditions, and work with researchers to identify practical steps for recovery. Their efforts focus on protecting remaining seagrass patches and supporting the animals that still frequent the area. These community initiatives operate alongside government monitoring but emphasize hands-on observation and local knowledge. Participants track changes in real time and share findings that help guide small-scale habitat management.
Practical Steps Forward
Recovery will require addressing both the immediate causes of seagrass loss and the longer-term needs of the island’s economy. Continued monitoring by groups such as the Dugong Guardians provides data that can inform targeted restoration. Residents and officials alike recognize that healthy meadows support both the dugong population and the livelihoods tied to fishing and tourism. Sustained attention to these linked issues offers the clearest path to stabilizing conditions around Koh Libong.
