may 2021 - wii.gov.in
TRANSCRIPT
1
May 2021
Seagrass surveys-
This monthrsquos seagrass surveys were only limited to phenology studies The three survey sites Paga Bhaidar and Taam were visited
Seagrass and sediment samples were collected from all three sites Taam and Paga data loggers were retrieved and cleaned Data
logger at Bhaidar has been kept for logging data during the monsoons Mud mounds at Taam reef were pushed towards the reef and
hence flattened Fruits were observed to have undergone dehiscent
Seagrass associated in-faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for subtidal collection were carried out at Paga Tam and Bhaidar island Seagrass and sediment samples for
heavy metals were collected will be analyzed at the end of field season Total 42 samples were sorted till group level Samples were
washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the
help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled Water parameters like Dissolved oxygen
Salinity Temperature pH was also collected Sediment and seagrass samples for nutrient estimation were also collected and will be
sent to HQ for further analysis Samples will be sent to further taxonomical identification to Annamalai university Gastropods and
Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available literature
Image 1 Seagrass surveys for subtidal
2
Image 2 Sediment packaging onboard and crab found during the sample postprocessing
3
Heavy metal sediment and seagrass collection
Sediment and seagrass samples were collected from Paga Tam reef seagrass bed using a pre cleaned and acid washed plastic bags
were sealed Seagrass samples were washed with metal free double distilled water and transferred to deep freezer after coming
back from field
Marine turtle stranding
One adult green sea turtle stranded at Shivrajpur beach on 14th May 2021 The carcass was old and carapace broken Viscera was still
contained inside the body cavity Cause of death is unknown
Image 3 Green sea turtle stranded on Shivrajpur beach
4
April 2021
Seagrass surveys-
Seagrass phenology surveys were done in mid- April All Halophila species were observed with mature fruits A gradual decrease in
algal cover was also observed Seagrass and sediment samples were taken for fiber nutrient and texture analysis Data loggers were
cleaned At Tam reefs mid-intertidal region Grab based sampling was started No seagrass samples were found to be growing near
the channel area Subtidal mapping at Bhaidar islands was resumed after December (stopped in December due low seagrass biomass)
Only one cove could be covered due to high tidal currents which hindered grab sampling in deeper waters
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for subtidal collection were carried out at Bhaidar island 9 centroids from various depth Seagrass and
sediment samples for heavy metals were collected will be analyzed at the end of field season Total 36 samples were sorted till group
level Samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight)
was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled Water parameters like
Dissolved oxygen Salinity Temperature pH was also collected Sediment and seagrass samples for nutrient estimation were also
collected and will be sent to HQ for further analysis Samples will be sent to further taxonomical identification to Annamalai university
Image 4 Researchers cleaning data logger and subtidal seagrass mapping at Bhaidar
5
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Boat surveys and threat mapping
Total 75 centroids have been observed for different types of boat litter and ghost net in and around the reef and islands of Marine national park
that include Samiyani Arambada Chandri Bet-dwarka Paga Bhaidar Tam Chank Poshitra Marudi Man-gudda Dabdaba Okha madhi Pindara
Ajad Gandiya Chushna pir Beto and Vuddakudda islands of Gulf of Kutch Seagrass and sediment samples have been collected through Van veen
grab and will be further analysed for nutrient and pollutant analysis Dolphins and turtles sightings are more frequent near Okha bet-dwarka
Samiyani Paga Tam Marudi Ajad and Bhaidar islands and mass gathering of turtles was observed near Chank island
Image 5Seagrass associated macrofaunal postprocessing and analysis
6
Image 6 Around 15 meter long adult green sea turtle found stranded on Okha beach near light house on 14th April 2021 The reason of its death is unknown Tissue samples of backbone vertebra gut and dermal skin have been collected for
further analysis
7
Community workshop
Total 20 fishermen of Mithapur and Surajkaradi villages were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails
to detect their presence and threats to marine mammals on 4th April 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets The
fishermen told us about seagrass location near Mithapur and illegal fishing activities at Mithapur- Arambada area
Meeting with stakeholders
We gave outreach posters to fisheries officers Mr Lashkari and Mr BM Makwana and explained the ongoing work and future plans with them We discussed briefly about number of fishing boats operating from different fishing ports in Dwarka district and recent data of marine fishes landing and exporting from Dwarka district
Image 7 Fisherman community workshop
8
Field sightings
Image 8 Field sightings
copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
2
Image 2 Sediment packaging onboard and crab found during the sample postprocessing
3
Heavy metal sediment and seagrass collection
Sediment and seagrass samples were collected from Paga Tam reef seagrass bed using a pre cleaned and acid washed plastic bags
were sealed Seagrass samples were washed with metal free double distilled water and transferred to deep freezer after coming
back from field
Marine turtle stranding
One adult green sea turtle stranded at Shivrajpur beach on 14th May 2021 The carcass was old and carapace broken Viscera was still
contained inside the body cavity Cause of death is unknown
Image 3 Green sea turtle stranded on Shivrajpur beach
4
April 2021
Seagrass surveys-
Seagrass phenology surveys were done in mid- April All Halophila species were observed with mature fruits A gradual decrease in
algal cover was also observed Seagrass and sediment samples were taken for fiber nutrient and texture analysis Data loggers were
cleaned At Tam reefs mid-intertidal region Grab based sampling was started No seagrass samples were found to be growing near
the channel area Subtidal mapping at Bhaidar islands was resumed after December (stopped in December due low seagrass biomass)
Only one cove could be covered due to high tidal currents which hindered grab sampling in deeper waters
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for subtidal collection were carried out at Bhaidar island 9 centroids from various depth Seagrass and
sediment samples for heavy metals were collected will be analyzed at the end of field season Total 36 samples were sorted till group
level Samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight)
was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled Water parameters like
Dissolved oxygen Salinity Temperature pH was also collected Sediment and seagrass samples for nutrient estimation were also
collected and will be sent to HQ for further analysis Samples will be sent to further taxonomical identification to Annamalai university
Image 4 Researchers cleaning data logger and subtidal seagrass mapping at Bhaidar
5
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Boat surveys and threat mapping
Total 75 centroids have been observed for different types of boat litter and ghost net in and around the reef and islands of Marine national park
that include Samiyani Arambada Chandri Bet-dwarka Paga Bhaidar Tam Chank Poshitra Marudi Man-gudda Dabdaba Okha madhi Pindara
Ajad Gandiya Chushna pir Beto and Vuddakudda islands of Gulf of Kutch Seagrass and sediment samples have been collected through Van veen
grab and will be further analysed for nutrient and pollutant analysis Dolphins and turtles sightings are more frequent near Okha bet-dwarka
Samiyani Paga Tam Marudi Ajad and Bhaidar islands and mass gathering of turtles was observed near Chank island
Image 5Seagrass associated macrofaunal postprocessing and analysis
6
Image 6 Around 15 meter long adult green sea turtle found stranded on Okha beach near light house on 14th April 2021 The reason of its death is unknown Tissue samples of backbone vertebra gut and dermal skin have been collected for
further analysis
7
Community workshop
Total 20 fishermen of Mithapur and Surajkaradi villages were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails
to detect their presence and threats to marine mammals on 4th April 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets The
fishermen told us about seagrass location near Mithapur and illegal fishing activities at Mithapur- Arambada area
Meeting with stakeholders
We gave outreach posters to fisheries officers Mr Lashkari and Mr BM Makwana and explained the ongoing work and future plans with them We discussed briefly about number of fishing boats operating from different fishing ports in Dwarka district and recent data of marine fishes landing and exporting from Dwarka district
Image 7 Fisherman community workshop
8
Field sightings
Image 8 Field sightings
copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
3
Heavy metal sediment and seagrass collection
Sediment and seagrass samples were collected from Paga Tam reef seagrass bed using a pre cleaned and acid washed plastic bags
were sealed Seagrass samples were washed with metal free double distilled water and transferred to deep freezer after coming
back from field
Marine turtle stranding
One adult green sea turtle stranded at Shivrajpur beach on 14th May 2021 The carcass was old and carapace broken Viscera was still
contained inside the body cavity Cause of death is unknown
Image 3 Green sea turtle stranded on Shivrajpur beach
4
April 2021
Seagrass surveys-
Seagrass phenology surveys were done in mid- April All Halophila species were observed with mature fruits A gradual decrease in
algal cover was also observed Seagrass and sediment samples were taken for fiber nutrient and texture analysis Data loggers were
cleaned At Tam reefs mid-intertidal region Grab based sampling was started No seagrass samples were found to be growing near
the channel area Subtidal mapping at Bhaidar islands was resumed after December (stopped in December due low seagrass biomass)
Only one cove could be covered due to high tidal currents which hindered grab sampling in deeper waters
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for subtidal collection were carried out at Bhaidar island 9 centroids from various depth Seagrass and
sediment samples for heavy metals were collected will be analyzed at the end of field season Total 36 samples were sorted till group
level Samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight)
was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled Water parameters like
Dissolved oxygen Salinity Temperature pH was also collected Sediment and seagrass samples for nutrient estimation were also
collected and will be sent to HQ for further analysis Samples will be sent to further taxonomical identification to Annamalai university
Image 4 Researchers cleaning data logger and subtidal seagrass mapping at Bhaidar
5
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Boat surveys and threat mapping
Total 75 centroids have been observed for different types of boat litter and ghost net in and around the reef and islands of Marine national park
that include Samiyani Arambada Chandri Bet-dwarka Paga Bhaidar Tam Chank Poshitra Marudi Man-gudda Dabdaba Okha madhi Pindara
Ajad Gandiya Chushna pir Beto and Vuddakudda islands of Gulf of Kutch Seagrass and sediment samples have been collected through Van veen
grab and will be further analysed for nutrient and pollutant analysis Dolphins and turtles sightings are more frequent near Okha bet-dwarka
Samiyani Paga Tam Marudi Ajad and Bhaidar islands and mass gathering of turtles was observed near Chank island
Image 5Seagrass associated macrofaunal postprocessing and analysis
6
Image 6 Around 15 meter long adult green sea turtle found stranded on Okha beach near light house on 14th April 2021 The reason of its death is unknown Tissue samples of backbone vertebra gut and dermal skin have been collected for
further analysis
7
Community workshop
Total 20 fishermen of Mithapur and Surajkaradi villages were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails
to detect their presence and threats to marine mammals on 4th April 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets The
fishermen told us about seagrass location near Mithapur and illegal fishing activities at Mithapur- Arambada area
Meeting with stakeholders
We gave outreach posters to fisheries officers Mr Lashkari and Mr BM Makwana and explained the ongoing work and future plans with them We discussed briefly about number of fishing boats operating from different fishing ports in Dwarka district and recent data of marine fishes landing and exporting from Dwarka district
Image 7 Fisherman community workshop
8
Field sightings
Image 8 Field sightings
copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
4
April 2021
Seagrass surveys-
Seagrass phenology surveys were done in mid- April All Halophila species were observed with mature fruits A gradual decrease in
algal cover was also observed Seagrass and sediment samples were taken for fiber nutrient and texture analysis Data loggers were
cleaned At Tam reefs mid-intertidal region Grab based sampling was started No seagrass samples were found to be growing near
the channel area Subtidal mapping at Bhaidar islands was resumed after December (stopped in December due low seagrass biomass)
Only one cove could be covered due to high tidal currents which hindered grab sampling in deeper waters
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for subtidal collection were carried out at Bhaidar island 9 centroids from various depth Seagrass and
sediment samples for heavy metals were collected will be analyzed at the end of field season Total 36 samples were sorted till group
level Samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight)
was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled Water parameters like
Dissolved oxygen Salinity Temperature pH was also collected Sediment and seagrass samples for nutrient estimation were also
collected and will be sent to HQ for further analysis Samples will be sent to further taxonomical identification to Annamalai university
Image 4 Researchers cleaning data logger and subtidal seagrass mapping at Bhaidar
5
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Boat surveys and threat mapping
Total 75 centroids have been observed for different types of boat litter and ghost net in and around the reef and islands of Marine national park
that include Samiyani Arambada Chandri Bet-dwarka Paga Bhaidar Tam Chank Poshitra Marudi Man-gudda Dabdaba Okha madhi Pindara
Ajad Gandiya Chushna pir Beto and Vuddakudda islands of Gulf of Kutch Seagrass and sediment samples have been collected through Van veen
grab and will be further analysed for nutrient and pollutant analysis Dolphins and turtles sightings are more frequent near Okha bet-dwarka
Samiyani Paga Tam Marudi Ajad and Bhaidar islands and mass gathering of turtles was observed near Chank island
Image 5Seagrass associated macrofaunal postprocessing and analysis
6
Image 6 Around 15 meter long adult green sea turtle found stranded on Okha beach near light house on 14th April 2021 The reason of its death is unknown Tissue samples of backbone vertebra gut and dermal skin have been collected for
further analysis
7
Community workshop
Total 20 fishermen of Mithapur and Surajkaradi villages were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails
to detect their presence and threats to marine mammals on 4th April 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets The
fishermen told us about seagrass location near Mithapur and illegal fishing activities at Mithapur- Arambada area
Meeting with stakeholders
We gave outreach posters to fisheries officers Mr Lashkari and Mr BM Makwana and explained the ongoing work and future plans with them We discussed briefly about number of fishing boats operating from different fishing ports in Dwarka district and recent data of marine fishes landing and exporting from Dwarka district
Image 7 Fisherman community workshop
8
Field sightings
Image 8 Field sightings
copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
5
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Boat surveys and threat mapping
Total 75 centroids have been observed for different types of boat litter and ghost net in and around the reef and islands of Marine national park
that include Samiyani Arambada Chandri Bet-dwarka Paga Bhaidar Tam Chank Poshitra Marudi Man-gudda Dabdaba Okha madhi Pindara
Ajad Gandiya Chushna pir Beto and Vuddakudda islands of Gulf of Kutch Seagrass and sediment samples have been collected through Van veen
grab and will be further analysed for nutrient and pollutant analysis Dolphins and turtles sightings are more frequent near Okha bet-dwarka
Samiyani Paga Tam Marudi Ajad and Bhaidar islands and mass gathering of turtles was observed near Chank island
Image 5Seagrass associated macrofaunal postprocessing and analysis
6
Image 6 Around 15 meter long adult green sea turtle found stranded on Okha beach near light house on 14th April 2021 The reason of its death is unknown Tissue samples of backbone vertebra gut and dermal skin have been collected for
further analysis
7
Community workshop
Total 20 fishermen of Mithapur and Surajkaradi villages were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails
to detect their presence and threats to marine mammals on 4th April 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets The
fishermen told us about seagrass location near Mithapur and illegal fishing activities at Mithapur- Arambada area
Meeting with stakeholders
We gave outreach posters to fisheries officers Mr Lashkari and Mr BM Makwana and explained the ongoing work and future plans with them We discussed briefly about number of fishing boats operating from different fishing ports in Dwarka district and recent data of marine fishes landing and exporting from Dwarka district
Image 7 Fisherman community workshop
8
Field sightings
Image 8 Field sightings
copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
6
Image 6 Around 15 meter long adult green sea turtle found stranded on Okha beach near light house on 14th April 2021 The reason of its death is unknown Tissue samples of backbone vertebra gut and dermal skin have been collected for
further analysis
7
Community workshop
Total 20 fishermen of Mithapur and Surajkaradi villages were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails
to detect their presence and threats to marine mammals on 4th April 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets The
fishermen told us about seagrass location near Mithapur and illegal fishing activities at Mithapur- Arambada area
Meeting with stakeholders
We gave outreach posters to fisheries officers Mr Lashkari and Mr BM Makwana and explained the ongoing work and future plans with them We discussed briefly about number of fishing boats operating from different fishing ports in Dwarka district and recent data of marine fishes landing and exporting from Dwarka district
Image 7 Fisherman community workshop
8
Field sightings
Image 8 Field sightings
copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
7
Community workshop
Total 20 fishermen of Mithapur and Surajkaradi villages were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails
to detect their presence and threats to marine mammals on 4th April 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets The
fishermen told us about seagrass location near Mithapur and illegal fishing activities at Mithapur- Arambada area
Meeting with stakeholders
We gave outreach posters to fisheries officers Mr Lashkari and Mr BM Makwana and explained the ongoing work and future plans with them We discussed briefly about number of fishing boats operating from different fishing ports in Dwarka district and recent data of marine fishes landing and exporting from Dwarka district
Image 7 Fisherman community workshop
8
Field sightings
Image 8 Field sightings
copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
8
Field sightings
Image 8 Field sightings
copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel copy Shivani Patel
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
9
March 2021
One of the participants of the Drone training workshop Forest Officer Dangar Bhai sent Dugong feeding trails from Narara
Jamnagar on 7th March 2021
Image 9 Dugong feeding trails at Narara MNP
Seagrass meadows and associated faunal diversity documented at Mithapur reef while underwater diving survey with
Wildlife trust of India Mithapur field research team members BM Praveen Kumar Charan Kumar and volunteers Prakash
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
10
bhai Akram and Hamid Kadar Total 8 exploratory dives and one intertidal survey have been done to locate Halophila
decipiens and Halophila ovalis meadows of Mithapur and Arambada area (Photo credit Shivani Patel)
Image 10 Halophila decipiens meadow at Mithapur reef
Image 11 Small green fruits of Halophila decipiens that contain dormant seeds
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
11
Seagrass surveys
Seagrass phenology surveys were done at Taam
Patthiwadi and Paga reefs The meadows were
monitored for algal blooms and seagrass cover
expansion for summers Samples were collected for
nutrient analysis Subtidal surveys for seagrass
mapping were done in Paga reefs cove Each depth
contour was explored for seagrasses The points
were strategically plotted beforehand on Navionics
application Area for mapping near Bareyl
lighthouse was planned for further study
The intertidal areas were also monitored for tangled
ghost nets Location fixes and removal of ghost
nests was done for each area
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Balapur Mithapur Gopi village Dunny point- Bet and okha region total 15 centroids have been covered Seagrass and
sediment samples collected from 8 centroids for nutrient and pollutant analysis Samples were air dried according to texture for around 72 hours
for nutrient analysis Seagrass and sediment samples for contaminant analysis were directly kept in deep freezer in 100 g HDPE bottles
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
12
Seagrass associated faunal Macrobenthic sample collection and analysis
Macrobenthic sampling for intertidal and subtidal collection were carried out at Paga and Tam reef with 7 centroids in March 2021
Gastropods and Bivalves were identified with the help of World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and field guides and available
literature
Image 13 Water parameter recording for Subtidal collection
Image 12 Plastic pipe caught in grab while taking seagrass and sediment samples from Balapur Bet dwarka
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
13
Image 15 Nassarius pullus (Gastropod) and Sea spider Class Pycnogonida
Image 14 Sieving sediment samples on field
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
14
Image 16 Microplastic (filaments of ghost net) in macrobenthic sediment and seagrass samples
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
15
Community awareness workshop
Total 22 fishermen of Bhimrana village were sensitized about Dugongs and seagrass ecosystem clues for Dugongrsquos feeding trails to detect their
presence and threats to marine mammals on 14th March 2021 We distributed mask t-shirts along with awareness pamphlets Few of the
fishermen told us about the past records of seagrass location near Bhimrana
Image 17 Fishermen Community workshop
Webinar for Sardar Patel University
Webinar on ldquoConservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujaratrdquo with Sardar Patel University Aanand The session was
attended by graduates post graduates and faculty members Total 58 participants were registered and e-certificates were given to those
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
16
participants on 19th March 2021
Scholarship follow up
Follow up with schools for Dugong ambassadors since the schools have reopened 14 dropouts were confirmed
Image 18 Webinar for students of Sardar Patel University
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
17
Capacity Building
Training session for identification of seagrass and threats to marine mammals were given to 4 marine police commandant officers and 2 navy
officers on filed at Chushnapir Island on 8th March 2021 Dugong monitoring Log books were distributed among them
February 2021
Seagrass mapping Seagrass mapping was done near Bareyl lighthouse Taam reef Pagar reef and Patthiwadi reef (Bhaidar island)
Species observed were Halophila ovalis Halophila decipiens Halodule uninervis and Halophila beccarii Seagrass mapping and was
mostly limited to intertidal areas except for Balapur area where subtidal mapping had been resumed Halophila beccarii has started
to occupy the mud flats Algal occupancy has been limited to the rocky reefs only The meadows have very little macroalgal
competition Seagrass and sediment samples collected were dried in shade packed for nutrient analysis
Image 19 Capacity building for Marine Police and Navy
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
18
On-field interview surveys were
conducted to complement sighting
data Lobster fishing in channels has
ended and now the fishers have
moved on to catching commercially
important catfish This will increase
the fishing boat movement in the
central and southern GoK
Boat surveys and threat mapping
It was conducted around Vuda kudda Gandhiya Chushnapir beto Paga Dunny Balapur Gopi Mithapur Noru Chank Panero area and total 59
centroids have been covered Seagrass and sediment samples collected from each centroid for nutrient and pollutant analysis
During threat mapping a trawler was encountered hauling a net in which 3 turtles were entangled One broke the net and escaped while two were
removed using pulley on the trawler
Image 20 Seagrass mapping
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
19
Ghost nets were removed from Chushnapir Mithapur reef near seagrass meadows
Image 22 Sample collection at Balapur Bet Dwarka
Image 21 Removal of ghost net from Chusanapir and removal of stranded anchor near seagrass meadow from Chusanapir
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
20
Image 23 a) Trawler Hauling a net
Image 25 b) Trawler crew trying to release one of the caught turtle by lifting it using a rope tied to its hind flipper
Image 24 Cement factory outlet near Gopi village in front of Bet Dwarka
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
21
3 Interview surveys
Three fishermen of Salaya and Balapur were interviewed where they gave information of dugong sighting near Paga reef and fish
catch of this yearrsquos fishing season
Image 26 Interview surveys
We conducted live webinar along with Wildlife Awareness Network (WAN) for Dugongs conservation in India on 26th February 2021
The webinar received huge response and international audience attended the live session
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
22
We conducted awareness program for Bansi school in Okha for 6th standard students on 26022021 We sensitized them about
dugongs and seagrass conservation We distributed comic book and notebooks along with outreach materials One of the volunteers
Ms Elis Parmar gave presentation on Dugong conservation 19 students attended the session
Image 27 Flyer for live webinar on Dugong conservation
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
23
Image 28 Awareness program at Bansi School in Okha
We conducted awareness lecture on birds for upcoming occasion of Science day on with special emphasis on marine birds one of our volunteer Mr Ronak Maradiya briefed students about marine birds on 25 022021 in Okha Nagarpalika sanchalit Primary school Total 25 students from 8th standard attended talk
Image 29 Awareness program for science Day at Nagarpalika Sanchalit Okha primary school
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
24
We conducted webinar in collaboration with College of Fisheries Science Veraval Junagadh agriculture University Gujarat on conservation of Dugongs and their habitats in Gulf of Kutch Gujarat on 24022021 We received huge response and appreciation 85 participants attended session Dr PH Tank Principal and Dean Fisheries and veterinary faculty inaugurated the session Ms Shivani introduced speaker Ms Prachi Hatkar briefed the participants about Seagrass meadows at Mithapur reef We found seagrass meadows of Halophila decipiens at Mithapur while diving with the group from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
We conducted awareness program in Sarswati Shishumandir primary school on 22022021 we sensitized them about dugong and marine mammals plastic pollution threats to marine life We will be expanding scholarship programs for these fishermen children
Image 30 Halophila decipiens meadows at Mithapur
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
25
Image 31 Awareness program at Sarswati Shishumandir Primary school Okha
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
26
Seagrass mapping
Samples collected by van-veen grab and kept in self sealed pre cleaned zip lock bags the samples were deep frozen until air drying and oven dry process at
fisheries lab
Image 33 Macrobenthos samples packing for further identification at Fishery research station Okha
Image 32 Sutidal seagrass mapping
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
27
Image 34 Sediment kept for airdrying after collection at Fishery Station Okha
January 2021
We conducted capacity building program today on 24012021 for Gujarat marine police patrolling officers on field 5
commando officers attended session We trained them for sighting and recording marine mammals We distributed dugong log
books
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
28
Image 36 Celebration of Independence Day at Fishery Research Station Okha
Image 35 Capacity building workshop for Marine Police Okha
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
29
Image 37 Threat mapping and sample collection with grab at centroids
Image 38 Bhaidar island- Ghost net and plastic litter at coast
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
30
Paintings by Dugong volunteers
Project Volunteer Ms Chitrangee Bose designed new outreach Designs for creating awareness team similarly painted marine life for
creating awareness among locals
Image 39 Painting for awareness by Dugong volunteer
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
31
Interview surveys at Dalda bunder
We conducted interview surveys for Dalda bunder fishermen Fish population has been decreasing therefore they have to venture in
deep seas to catch more fishes Common fish catch in this season Silver pomfret Indian mackerel Tuna Croaker seer fish sail fish
conger eel Dolphin fish grey mullet unicorn leatherjacket grouper blacktip shark etc
Image 40 Dalda bandar- Fish landing site Tuna seer fish sail fish Dolphin fish unicorn leatherjacket blacktip shark etc
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
32
Image 41 Field survey and interview surveys
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
33
December 2020
Threat mapping in Dugong Habitats were conducted The team sighted a dead green Sea turtle found in the channel between Poshitra and Beyt dwarka Also
Pod of Humpback dolphins were sighted near Dunny point Beyt
Dwarka
Image 42 Dead green sea turtle found while threat mapping
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
34
Image 43 Roosting Site of near Threatened species Mycteria Leucocephala (Painted stork) at Manmarudi
Seagrass and seagrass associated faunal surveys
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
35
Seagrass mapping was carried out at Tam reef Nor reef Chank reef Baseline data collection for seagrass associated fauna temperature and salinity was noted Post processing for Macrobenthos sediment in fishery research station Okha
Image 44 Seagrass associated faunal Sampling At Paga reef
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
36
Seagrass samples were washed in tap water and oven dried and packed Sediment samples were washed with water and sieved in (500microm) in laboratory sorted according to group level Biomass (Wet weight) was taken with the help of weighing balance and preserved in 70 alcohol in Tarson containers and labelled
Figure 1
Image 45 Post processing for sediment and seagrass samples at Fishery research station Okha
Image 46Volunteers sorting seagrass associated fauna
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
37
Special training course on hands on training of drone operation with Gujarat forest department staff of Marine National Park Gujarat on 16- 24th December 2020
Mr Sagar Rajpurkar introduced the participants to UAVs their use in Wildlife Conservation and monitoring detailed information regarding drone specifications He and Gem Chistrian conducted training session to operate the application for drone use arming and disarming the aircraft and briefing about the application use Drone flight demonstration were given to participants All participants took independent flights following a prior instructed path and operated the drones RFOs of Dwarka and Bhatiya range of Gujarat forest department the workshop at Poshitra and Jamanagar on 16-24 December 2021
Image 47 Drone operation training of forest guards at Poshitra
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture
38
State level Webinar on lsquoConservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo
One state level webinar on Conservation of Dugongs and Their Habitats in Gulf
of Kutch Gujaratrsquo Along with DKV Arts college of Jamnagar Around 800
Students Researchers of college attended the webinar and were enlightened
about the conservation measures in Gujarat E-certificates were provided to
the registered participants
Image 48 Drone operation training of forest guards at Jamnagar
Image 49 Flyer for the awareness lecture