A joint scientific expedition comprising marine mammologists from the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and international marine foundations deployed an advanced acoustic telemetry network across the Gulf of Mannar today, October 1, 2026, aimed at protecting endangered dugongs.

The shallow, sheltered maritime straits separating Mannar Island from the northwestern coast shelter the largest contiguous seagrass meadows in Sri Lanka, dominated by species such as Halophila ovalis and Cymodocea serrulata. These underwater prairies represent the primary critical feeding habitat for the elusive and critically endangered dugong (Dugong dugon). To map population distribution without causing acoustic or physical disturbance, researchers anchored eight autonomous underwater hydrophone listening buoys across key foraging channels off Talaimannar and Silavatturai.

The solar-powered hydrophone units utilize machine-learning audio classification algorithms to detect and isolate the distinctive low-frequency chirps, trills, and chewing sounds produced by grazing dugongs. Telemetry data is relayed via satellite uplink to marine research laboratories in Colombo, generating real-time heat maps of dugong herd movements and seasonal grazing patterns. Simultaneously, marine biologists tagged three rehabilitated green sea turtles with GPS satellite transmitters to study overlapping habitat usage in the marine biosphere reserve.

Lead marine scientist Dr. Anusha Pathirana explained that the acoustic tracking data will be utilized by the Ministry of Fisheries and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to delineate dynamic vessel speed restriction zones and establish safe corridors for small fiberglass fishing craft. By identifying peak dugong feeding hours and high-density zones, maritime authorities aim to eliminate accidental entanglements in bottom-set gillnets and prevent fatal boat hull collisions, ensuring the survival of this gentle marine mammal in Sri Lankan waters.