The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is testing natural food plots as supplemental food for dugongs in response to seagrass degradation near the seagrass beds at Rawai Pier in Phuket. On November 5, the Andaman Upper Marine and Coastal Resource Research Center initiated these food plots to provide alternative nutrition for dugongs in this area.

Four 1-square-meter plots were set up beside the pier at low tide, each containing different types of vegetables—morning glory, bok choy, kale, and napa cabbage—to test dugong preference. The area was monitored during high tide using drones to observe dugong feeding behavior. Initial findings showed one dugong in the area, though it did not consume any of the test plants. The research center will continue monitoring and developing strategies to support dugongs amid the seagrass deterioration.