We work with leading scientists to develop research methodologies for conservation practitioners and coastal communities across the dugong range.
The tools we develop are tested in the field and made available online, together with guidance and support from our technical partners. This allows local practitioners to generate standardized data sets across different countries and sites.
Our approach includes carrying out seagrass and dugong assessments using participatory methods, such as Dugong Catch and ByCatch Questionnaire, Seagrass-Watch and dugong drone surveys, as well as identifying and assessing key ecosystem services, such as fisheries production and blue carbon.
By empowering coastal communities to lead the assessments we ensure they have ownership of the standardized scientific data, which stimulates their engagement in natural resource management and integrates them into decision-making.