06/17/2026
There are still vital gaps to fill.
Those six words have been on our minds ever since reading the latest issue of SIRENEWS, the newsletter of the Sirenia Specialist Group.
Across more than 40 countries, researchers are working to better understand dugong populations, identify critical habitats, and strengthen conservation efforts. It's an extraordinary scientific collaboration built on a shared belief that better information leads to better conservation.
That mission resonates deeply with us.
One quote in particular stopped us in our tracks:
"The dugong's range spans more than 40 countries. We know little about them in many parts of the range. WatchSpotter has the potential to fill vital gaps."
— Professor Helene Marsh, James Cook University
We read those words several times.
Not because they mentioned WatchSpotter.
But because they perfectly captured why we began this journey.
We have always believed that conservation begins with understanding, and understanding begins with observations.
Every survey.
Every sighting.
Every field season.
Each one adds another piece to a much larger story.
If we can help researchers collect observations that are more consistent, more accessible, and easier to compare across projects and regions, then we've contributed to something far greater than technology.
We've helped strengthen the foundation for better science.
We're deeply grateful to the Dugong MOU community, Professor Helene Marsh, Abdelmenam Mohamed, and the many researchers whose dedication continues to expand our understanding of these remarkable animals.
This recognition is meaningful because it reminds us that the work is bigger than any one organization.
It's about supporting the science that helps protect the species and ecosystems we all care about.
Because there are still vital gaps to fill.
