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Nov 21, 2016
In Search of Dugong
GPS waypoint: 12°14'00.7"N 120°02'19.1"E
Location: Cheey, Busuanga, Philippines
Rare
Dugong used to be part of Busuanga's seascape. With poaching in the area and rope-entangling, it has become increasingly rare. It's easier to spot a whale shark than it is to see Dugong in the wild. Here in Busuanga Island, the rare spotting of a Dugong is in the Northeast area - you'll never see one in Coron Town area.
 off on the Tribal Adventures boat in search of Dugong
Dugong Status
Fishermen claim Dugong sightings in predictable spots. The most docile is said to be in the Calauit area. Club Paradise had a resident Dugong but it died after getting itself tangled up in nylon ropes.Lately, a dead Dugong washed-up to the shore of Minit. Another one was found dead after Typhoon Yolanda when it got tangled-up with stray fishermen's net. It's bad enough they were being fished. Now, they also have to put up getting tangled into stray nets and ropes!
Dugong Tours
Notwithstanding, there are a few tour operators offering Dugong tours - of course, without guarantees. When a group of 4 Germans booked a Dugong tour with Tribal Adventures at Palawan SandCastles, I tagged along hoping luck is on our side. The tour guide was Bobby, a seasoned hand who knows the usual feeding grounds of the Dugongs.
Feeding Grounds
Dugongs eat seagrass. It's more likely to see them in the shallows feeding than it is to see them in the deep. Occassionally, a Dugong back may surface before it disappears again. This is what local fishermen usually see when they ply their fishing route.
3 Strikes
Bobby was vigilant on the boat looking for Dugong on the 3 spots he knew. Unfortunately, there was none to be found. On one area, the visibility was too bad it wouldn't be possible to see one even there was one within 15 feet. On a few boats we passed by, he asked if there was a sighting, but again, the fishermen shook their heads. It was frustrating for everyone.
Snorkeling
Fortunately, we passed on a few promising coral reef where we stopped for some snorkeling. That became pretty much the default activity in the absence of Dugong sighting. It wasn't bad either. I saw a few big clams but no sizeable reef fish.
Ending Thoughts
Everybody was a little frustrated not seeing a Dugong, but more so with Bobby. I could sense the pressure he was on with all of us being hopeful. At the end, he confided that he would rather take tourists on a snorkeling or island hopping tour with a sight of a Dugong as an added gravy.
With increased tourism, fishing for Dugong is banned now. The fishermen at this point realize that a live Dugong in the wild can fetch more tourism income to the community than one served on a dinner plate. I hope the Dugong population recovers and even thrives in the coming years.
On a personal note, despite my efforts to see a Dugong in the ensuing years, I still yet have to find one. The search continues.
--- TheLoneRider
Tribal Adventures Palawan
expedition | island tours | kayaking
Coron, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines
tribaladventures@gmail.com
(63) 998 999 3049
Palawan SandCastles
beach house | cabanas | pavillon huts
Coron, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines
palawansandcastles@gmail.com
(63) 998 999 3049
Google Map > Busuanga
 Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines
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 Tribal Adventures Tours - multi-day kayak expedition, day tours, island tours, mountain biking, snorkeling, hiking
+63 998.999.3049 | tribaladventures@gmail.com Calamianes Expeditions & Ecotours - island tours, community based ecotourism experience
+639193054363 / +639202546553 / +63 9152543246 / 02 984 7795 | corongaleri@yahoo.com
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Coron Blogs
- Beach Life at Palawan SandCastles Oct 31-Nov 22, 2016
- Mountain Biking the Trails of Busuanga with Outback Greg of Tribal Adventures Oct 31-Nov 22, 2016
- Yoga at Palawan SandCastles, Busuanga Oct 31-Nov 22, 2016
- In Search of Dugong Nov 21, 2016
- 3-Day Circumnavigation of Coron Island by Kayak Nov 17-19, 2016
- Exploring Culion Nov 5-7, 2016
- Traveling with Cheng Oct 31-Nov 8, 2016
- Tribal Adventures in Coron with Outback Greg Jan 13-17, 2016
- Chillingout in Coron Town, Busuanga Oct 23-29, 2012
- Camp Life in Camp Calauit Oct 18-23, 2012
- Mountain Biking Fund Raising Event in Cheey, Busuanga Oct 20, 2012
- Salvacion-Cheey Traverse Oct 19, 2012
- Into The Black Jan 31, 2012
- Blurring the Lines of Work and Play Jan 30, 2012
- Free-Diving Calumbuyan Reef, Coral Garden and Lusong Gunboat Jan 14, 2012
- Exploring Dive Link Resort Jan 13, 2012
- Coron Island Tour - Malcapuya, Banana and Bulog Islands Jan 10, 2012
- Wreck Diving in Coron with Rocksteady Dive Center Jan 8, 2012
- Diving Barracuda Lake and Kogyo Maru Jan 4, 2012
- Banol Beach, Barracuda Lake, Calachuchi Reef, Siete Pecados Marine Park, Alcatraz Reef Island Tour Dec 27, 2011
- Coron Ultimate Island Tour by Calamianes Expeditions Ecotours Dec 24, 2011
- Life's a Beach at Camp Calauit Dec 17-31, 2011
- Traversing the Northern Coast of Busuanga Island Dec 14-16, 2011
- Skin Diving and Beach Camping at Calumbuyan Island Mar 10-12, 2010
- Sea Kayaking, Beach Camping and Skin Diving with Outback Greg on his Tribal Adventures Tour Mar 9-14, 2010
- Coron Skin Diving Mar 30, 2008
- Coron Kayaking Mar 31, 2008
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