News
A rare Dugong swims free, thanks to brave Mannar fishermen
View(s):By Malaka Rodrigo
When the sun hung low above the Vidaththaltivu Sea on the morning of November 15, a small fishing crew from Mannar found themselves at the heart of a story far larger than their daily catch. Near eleven in the morning, about 4.25 kilometres off the Kaththalampiddy coast, they discovered something unusual struggling against their ray net; a massive but gentle creature weighing an estimated 300–350 kilograms.
It was a dugong (Dugong dugon) – one of the world’s most threatened marine mammals, and a species declared Critically Endangered nationally in Sri Lanka.
Encounters with dugongs have become heartbreakingly rare in our waters. These shy, seagrass-grazing mammals once roamed the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay in healthy numbers. Today, only a tiny remnant population remains, its survival threatened primarily by accidental entanglement in fishing nets. For many dugongs, such encounters end in tragedy.
Dugongs are the only strictly herbivorous marine mammals in the world. Pic by Samth Ishan Fernando
But this time, the story unfolded differently. The crew aboard the boat owned by J. Sarankumar, immediately realised what had happened. The animal had become entangled in their ray net, a heavy gear with 18-inch mesh, five net pieces, and a 30-ply build. Such a large animal thrashing to escape could easily injure itself or the crew.
But as per the video captured of the release, there was no hesitation. Fishermen M. Jesuthasan and Susaithas Yanbisily moved quickly, working together trying to free the panicked dugong that was trying to break free with violent moves. The fishermen had to cut an entire section of their net to release the dugong.
Loss of their fishing gear would be a significant financial loss for small-scale fishers who depend on every piece of gear, yet they kept going.
Bit by bit, they cut away the heavy fibres wrapped around the dugong’s body. Within moments, the animal slipped free. And then, in a sweeping arc of its powerful tail, the dugong swam off — alive, unharmed, and disappearing into the blue, as the crew watched silently.
Their act deserves recognition not just as a good deed, but as a powerful message: local communities can and do play a vital role in protecting Sri Lanka’s fragile marine heritage.
Dugongs are the only strictly herbivorous marine mammals in the world, feeding almost entirely on seagrass. Their survival is closely tied to the health of seagrass beds in Mannar and Palk Bay — ecosystems that are themselves threatened by dredging, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!