For generations, stories of dugongs have echoed through the coastal villages of Bintan. Elders recall seeing them grazing peacefully in seagrass meadows, while fishers occasionally speak of rare encounters at sea. As the first phase of the Dugong Conservation Programme in Bintan Waters comes to a close, these stories are now supported by growing evidence: dugongs continue to inhabit the region and rely on Bintan’s coastal ecosystems for their survival.

Conducted between January and June 2026, the programme united researchers from Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji (UMRAH), PT Pelindo, government agencies, local communities, and conservation partners. Using drone surveys, community interviews, participatory mapping, and ecological assessments, the initiative aimed not only to determine where dugongs occur, but also to explore how people and nature can work together to protect them.

Although aerial surveys did not directly detect any dugongs, local knowledge and historical records painted a clearer picture. Community reports from areas such as Kawal and documented dugong bycatch incidents in Panglong confirmed that the species continues to move through Bintan’s waters. Historical records collected between 2008 and 2025 further revealed a consistent pattern of dugong presence across the region.

“The absence of sightings during a survey does not necessarily mean dugongs are no longer present. These animals are highly mobile and often move in response to changes in seagrass availability and environmental conditions.”

The Importance of Seagrass

At the heart of this story lies the seagrass ecosystem. Dugongs depend almost entirely on seagrass as their primary food source, making healthy seagrass meadows essential to their survival.

Beyond supporting dugongs, these underwater habitats play a critical role in sustaining fisheries, protecting shorelines from erosion, storing blue carbon, and providing shelter for a wide range of marine species. Bintan’s eastern coastline remains one of the most significant seagrass landscapes in the Riau Islands, reinforcing its importance as a priority area for conservation.

Conservation Powered by Communities

One of the programme’s most valuable findings came from the communities themselves. A survey involving 100 respondents across six coastal locations revealed that local residents possess extensive ecological knowledge of dugongs and their habitats. Many participants were able to identify areas where dugongs had historically been observed, helping researchers fill gaps that scientific surveys alone could not address.

The survey demonstrated strong public support for conservation efforts:

  • 74% of respondents supported the establishment of conservation zones for dugongs and seagrass habitats.
  • Community perceptions received an average score of 3.98 out of 5, reflecting broad public enthusiasm.
  • Habitat degradation, bycatch, and hunting were identified as the most significant threats to dugong populations.
  • Most respondents emphasized that education and awareness programmes would be the most effective tools for long-term success.

Connecting People and Conservation

Building on the conservation dashboard and information boards introduced in earlier phases, the programme expanded its outreach through the Dugong Information Centre (DIC).

,The platform enables residents to report dugong sightings through an online system, turning local observations into valuable conservation data. Together with information boards installed across Bintan, the initiative creates a practical link between science, technology, and community participation.

A Story of Hope

Perhaps the most important message from this chapter is simple: The dugong is still here.

Its presence may be elusive, often hidden beneath the waves, but every reported sighting, every contribution from local communities, and every thriving seagrass meadow offers hope that Bintan remains a place where dugongs can survive and flourish.

This third chapter of Chasing the Dugong marks an important shift: from awareness to stewardship, and from conservation action to shared responsibility. The future of dugong conservation will not be shaped by scientists alone, but also by fishers, coastal families, students, policymakers, and communities who depend on and care for the same sea.

And beneath the calm waters of Bintan, among the quiet meadows of seagrass, that future is still being written.