PNG Celebrates New Initiatives on Dugong Protection: Launch of UNEP/CMS Abu Dhabi Pilot Project and Pacific Year of the Dugong

Daru, 24 March 2011 – The Pacific Year of the Dugong was launched in Daru, Papua New Guinea (PNG), with great celebration on 24 March 2011. Daru was selected as the launch location because of the high cultural significance of dugongs to the coastal villages in the Western Province of PNG. Moreover, the waters of PNG and Australia in Torres Strait share the largest remaining dugong population in the world. Traditional inhabitants from both the Daru region and the Torres Strait Islands have strong traditions based on the use of dugong, a right protected under the Torres Strait Treaty between PNG and Australia.

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