A group of 32 dugongs has been recorded in the waters surrounding Romang Island, Southwest Maluku Regency, Maluku Province.
The finding marks the largest dugong population ever documented in Indonesia and is believed to be the biggest recorded aggregation in Southeast Asia to date.
The discovery was made by a research team from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia during a month-long scientific expedition conducted between October 3 and November 3, 2025.
The dugongs were observed within a 25.7-hectare area inside the Romang Marine Conservation Area.
Researchers said similar records are rare in the region. The closest comparison is Thailand, where 23 dugongs were previously documented in one location.
Rare Aggregation Signals Healthy Marine Ecosystem
Senior Project Manager of WWF Indonesia, Hafizh Adyas, said the size of the herd was unusual and significant from a conservation perspective.
“So it’s probably the largest in Southeast Asia. We suspect these are resident dugongs, not migratory, which is why this is a major discovery because it is very difficult to find dugongs in such large numbers. Usually, there are only two to five, never a large aggregation in one location,” Hafizh said in Jakarta on Thursday, February 5, 2026, as quoted by Kompas.
Dugongs are known to be elusive marine mammals and are typically found alone or in small groups. Large gatherings are rarely recorded, making the Romang Island finding particularly notable for researchers and conservationists.
WWF Indonesia said the presence of a stable dugong population suggests that the surrounding waters remain in relatively good condition. Dugongs depend on healthy seagrass meadows, which are highly sensitive to pollution, coastal development, and destructive fishing practices.
The waters of Southwest Maluku are also recognised as an important migration corridor for at least 24 endangered and protected marine species. These include blue whales, orcas, hammerhead sharks, several species of sea turtles, and dugongs.
Coral Reefs Show Signs of Long-Term Resilience
In addition to documenting the dugong population, the expedition assessed coral reef conditions around Romang and neighbouring Damer Island. Researchers found that coral ecosystems in the area were generally in fair to good condition.
Survey results showed an average coral cover rate of 51.4%. This figure is well above the regional average of 34%, indicating stronger reef health compared to other parts of eastern Indonesia.
Further analysis revealed that some coral colonies in these waters are estimated to be between 100 and 200 years old. Researchers said this points to a shallow marine ecosystem that has remained resilient over a long period, despite environmental pressures affecting many coral reefs globally.
This long-standing ecosystem provides critical ecological functions. Healthy reefs protect coastlines from erosion and serve as spawning and nursery grounds for marine species that are both ecologically and economically important.
WWF Indonesia noted that the discovery highlights the need for continued protection of Southwest Maluku’s marine areas. Conservation efforts, they said, must involve both government authorities and local communities to ensure sustainable management.
The organisation stressed that maintaining water quality and preventing habitat damage will be essential to preserving the dugong population and the broader marine ecosystem in the region.
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