The dugong is a marine mammal found in warm coastal waters from the western Pacific Ocean to the eastern coast of Africa. They are close relatives to manatees and share a similar plump appearance, but have a dolphin-esque tail. Also unlike manatees, which utilize freshwater areas, the dugong is strictly a marine mammal. Commonly referred to as "sea cows", dugongs graze across sea grasses in shallow coastal waters. However, coastal development and industrial activities are polluting the waters that dugongs live in, which degrade and kill the sea grasses dugongs rely on to live. They are also often victims of fishery bycatch - the accidental entanglement in fishing nets.