Dugong, Dugong dugon

Problem:
There has been a recent serious decline in Dugong numbers in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park between Cooktown and Hervey Bay.  Between Dunk Island and Bundaberg numbers declined from around 3,500 in 1992 to around 1,700 by 1994.  In Hervey Bay they declined from 2,200 in 1988 to 800 by 1994.

Background Information:
Although Dugongs are found in over 40 countries from eastern Africa to Vanuatu, the Australian population is the world's most significant from a long-term conservation perspective.  Unlike many 'developing' countries where Dugongs occur, Australia has a relatively small human population that attaches high priority to issues of conservation.  If Dugongs cannot be saved in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park region, one of the few areas in the world where they protected, then it is doubtful that they will survive anywhere else.

Research:
James Cook University research has shown that the Dugong population of eastern Cape York north of Cooktown (10,000) is relatively stable.  However, south of Dunk Island to Hervey Bay Dugong numbers have plummeted, probably as a result of accidental capture in set fish nets, hunting and habitat loss.

Solution:
Set mesh nets have recently been banned in certain areas of critical Dugong habitat in the southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Many Aboriginal Community Councils south of Cooktown have decided to suspend Dugong hunting.  The Queensland Shark Protection Program has been reviewed to address the problem of Dugongs being caught in shark nets.

The next species is the Humpback Whale