Karen Allen

The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) is home to East Africa’s last remaining viable dugong population. Approximately 260 individuals are left. Their most significant threat the illegal gill netting industry, as dugongs get entangled as bycatch and drown. Second to this, artisanal seine netting damages the fragile sea grass beds the Dugongs feed on. In 2010, Karen Allen developed the Dugong Emergency Protection Project. Karen introduced joint marine-aerial surveillance operations in BANP, developed an effective law enforcement team and trained the Park’s 24 law enforcement officers in advanced conservation strategies. Her approach is successful: Dugong mortality went from 6 to 1 per year. Her project has become a model for Mozambique’s marine protected areas.

Vision and Approach:
The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) is home to East Africa’s last remaining visible dugong population. Their most significant threat the illegal grill netting industry, as dugongs get entangled as bycatch and drown. In 2010, Karen saw the need for a management plan for BANP’s dugong and developed the Dugong Emergency Protection Project, which has become a model for Mozambique’s marine protected areas. Karen introduced joint marine-aerial surveillance operations in BANP and developed an effective law enforcement team and trained the Park’s 24 law enforcement officers in advanced conservation strategies, which made a significant dent in poaching activities!