Help keep our Dugong population safe it may be critical to the survival of the species

Activities highlighting the need for protection of dugongs in the Pacific Islands region will be the focus of the campaign being initiated through national launches in New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Dugong (Dugong dugon)

Dugong are large marine mammals. Often referred to as sea cows their major diet consists of sea grass. They are found in tropical and sub tropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including the Northern parts of Australia and the Great Sandy Straits.

Dugong are currently listed as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Redlist.

Dugong have a very long life cycle which means the loss of even one dugong in the relatively small population size can impact dramatically on their ability to survive.

For further information on Dugong and research undertaken by the University of Queensland follow this link: University of Queensland

WWF Japan are currently in a battle to save their remaining dugong population and have declared 2010 as International Year of the Dugong. For further information on their campaign click on the banner above. We thank them for allowing the use of their banner on our site.

Dugong (Dugong dugon) Photo © C.J. Limpus DERM.

Dugong feeding - photo from Wikimedia Commons

What are the main threats to the dugong from these marina developments?

Dugong are extremely vulnerable to loss of sea grass and boat strike and as such are vulnerable to both the increase in vessel traffic, construction and ongoing maintenance activities:

Habitat degradation, including destruction of sea grass beds through boat disturbance and marina construction activities. Potential loss of water quality from the dredging activity during construction and on an ongoing basis
boat strike is a significant cause of injury and death, with the majority of reported boat strike deaths in Moreton Bay up to 2007 caused by large, fast, displacement hull power boat.
direct harassment, avoidance of vessels interrupting feeding
marine debris, causing entanglement

What is happening in Moreton Bay?

With 10 dugong found dead in Moreton Bay in one year, and research suggesting this is the maximum number of deaths the Australian population can sustain, this is a major threat to the ongoing survival of the species worldwide.

Joint media release Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld, The Wilderness Society, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Queensland Conservation Council, World Wildlife Fund Australia, 19 October 2008.

It is critical we don't recreate the Moreton Bay model in the Great Sandy Strait. We must act now to develop a strategic plan for the area that takes into account the problems that exist in Moreton Bay to ensure the Great Sandy Strait remains a relatively safe haven for dugong and turtles long into the future.

Refer the DERM web site for issues facing dugong and turtles species in Moreton Bay.

Never seen a dugong?

There are many people who visit our region who have never been lucky enough to see a dugong in the wild and many others who have never heard of these beautiful but rare marine mammals.

Whether snatching a quick breath before heading back down for some more sea grass, floating at the surface or moving onto new pastures they are definitely a wonderful sight. Well worth a visit.

You can view some amazing tracks of dugong travelling from Torres Strait through the seas off Papua New Guinea on the www.seaturtle.org website.

Dugong in Tin Can Inlet

More dugong images can be found at Google Images - Dugong

For further information on Dugong and their current conservation status follow these links:

How can you help?