The project would strengthen existing dugong rescue and release unit of our centre, recruiting two staffs from fishing community. These two staffs will coordinate the volunteers from each village for dugong watch programme to provide update of dugong sightings in local area. So, it would help for rescue and release of dugongs as well as preventing dugong hunting. Mass awareness among young fisherfolks will be generated to strengthen community volunteer group. One of the important reasons for the death of dugongs is due to lack of awareness and the conservation value of the dugongs. So, the awareness will focus to talk about wildlife acts and imprisonment for dugong hunting, and also rewards and recognitions from local government for rescue and release of dugongs.

The proposed project will distribute about 2500 pamphlets and leaflets during the fisher meetings and fisher cooperative gatherings. Android app technology can be effectively used for quick release of compensations for dugong rescue fishers, rewards and documentation. Most of the young people use android phones in fishing communities, so installing app will help for dugong stranding, rescue and release. It will be very helpful in distributing rewards and compensations to fishers for dugong rescue and release operations from local government. The same approach will be included to set up a wide range of WhatsApp dugong conservation group. In addition to this, the students from fishing communities studying in coastal schools will know more details about local dugongs and its habitat for conservation and management through drawing competitions and writing competitions.