Dugong

Book excerpt: The dugong (Dugong dugon) is the only herbivorous mammal that is strictly marine. It has a range spanning some 37 countries, including tropical and subtropical coastal and island waters. This plan presents a global overview of the status of the dugong and its management throughout its range. It contains information on dugong distribution and abundance, threatening processes, legislation, and existing and suggested research and management initiatives for the countries and territories in the dugong’s known range. It is hoped that the comparative information provided will enable individual countries to develop their own, more detailed, conservation plans.