The gentle dugong, once a familiar presence in the waters of Bintan, is now a rare sight. In a bold step toward reviving its legacy, PT PELINDO and strategic partners — Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji (UMRAH), COE FIKP-UMRAH, the Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office (DKP Kepri), and Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) — have launched a Dugong Conservation Dashboard. This initiative combines modern technology with community wisdom to track and protect the elusive marine mammal.

The dashboard, accessible via Dugong App and Dugong Project, is designed to collect real-time data on dugong sightings. Using drones, researchers surveyed waters around Pulau Sumpat and southern Pulau Dompak, areas historically known for dugong activity. The platform also empowers local communities in Pengudang and Berakit to report sightings, ensuring that conservation efforts are rooted in both science and tradition.

“The conservation dashboard makes it easier for communities to report dugong sightings. People hope their seas will once again be like they used to be.”

Local Voices

• Mr. Thalib recalled the days when dugongs, turtles, and dolphins thrived in their waters.
• Mrs. Maria, head of RT1 Teluk Merbau, shared her husband’s unique experience in “calling” dugongs.
• Mr. Lago, a member of the sea tribe, admitted that dugongs were once hunted for food, but emphasized that such practices have long been abandoned.

Adding an international dimension, foreign students from Republic Polytechnic’s marine biology program joined the gathering, bridging global scientific curiosity with local conservation wisdom.

A Turning Point

This first chapter of the “Chasing the Dugong” initiative marks a turning point: from memory to monitoring, from tradition to technology. By weaving together drones, dashboards, and community voices, the project aims to restore the dugong’s place in Bintan’s marine heritage — a sea tale in the making.