Preen, 2001:

"This study provides the first detailed, year-round picture of dugong distribution, abundance and movement patterns in the region. It used repeated aerial surveys, satellite tracking, historical aerial surveys and other approaches to obtain independent data on habitat use. The core dugong habitat in the region is centred on Missionary Bay in the Hinchinbrook area and eastern Cleveland Bay in the Townsville area. The tracking of 13 dugongs over 19 months demonstrated, however, that surrounding areas, such as Hinchinbrook Channel, the Lucinda coast and Bowling Green Bay are tightly linked to these core areas. Furthermore, there is considerable movement of dugongs between Missionary Bay and Cleveland Bay. The importance of Hinchinbrook Channel as dugong habitat was further supported by sightings reported by the public, a feeding trail survey, and data from 25 aerial surveys conducted primarily in the 1970s.

Missionary Bay and eastern Cleveland Bay have been confirmed as the most important areas for dugongs in this region, however, the tracking has shown that the effectiveness of dissecting out such areas for localised protection is questionable. In the Hinchinbrook area, greater Missionary Bay (including Shepherd Bay), is not divisible from the northern half of Hinchinbrook Channel (including the area off Cardwell), nor separable from the area off Lucinda. All are part of the one habitat from the 60 dugongs’ perspective and all are linked by regular movements of dugongs. In the Townsville area, Cleveland Bay and Bowling Green Bay form the one dugong habitat. At the regional scale, the Hinchinbrook and Townsville areas are also linked by the flux of dugongs between them."

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Citation and/or URL

Preen, A.R. (2001) Dugongs, Boats, Dolphins and Turtles in the Townsville-Cardwell Region and Recommendations for a Boat Traffic Management Plan for the Hinchinbrook Dugong Protection Area.  Research Publication Number 67, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.  

Spatial Coverage

Townsville-Cardwell Region     

Temporal Coverage

1997-1998

Update Frequency

Not applicable 

Other Information

None