Members: Nicole Adimey (US), Kanjana Adulyanukosol (Thailand), Nataly Castelblanco (Mexico), Himansu Das (UAE), Daryl Domning (US), Haydee Dominguez (Dominican Republic), Almeida Guissamulo (Mozambique), Ellen Hines (US), Lucy Keith (West Africa), Sarita Kendall (Colombia) , Donna Kwan (UNEP), Miriam Marmontel (Brazil), John Reynolds (US), Caryn Self-Sullivan (US), Cynthia Taylor (US), Jociery Vergara (Brazil)

2011 Update

  • International Sirenian Workshop at 19th Biennial Meeting of the Society of Marine Mammalogy
  • Increase in the number of range states that have signed the CMS Dugong MOU to 20
  • Publication of first scholarly synthesis of information on the ecology and conservation all four species*
  • Regional management plan for Caribbean manatees published 2010
  • West African manatee recognised as greatest conservation challenge because most range states least-developed countries
  • Brazil and Mexico updated their national manatee action plans in 2011
  • Useful links

Success stories

  • Evidence that Florida manatee population is increasing and is likely eligible for downlisting
  • Rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area in Australia in a manner that provided significant protection to dugongs
  • Establishment of Protected Areas in Mesoamerican countries to protect manatees

Challenges

  • Most sirenian range states developing countries
  • Lack of political will to deliver effective conservation outcomes
  • Likely adverse impacts of human population increase and climate change on sub- tropical and tropical coastal and riverine habitats