10 June 2010

Focussed compliance efforts in north Queensland will continue in a bid to tackle the practice of using nets to specifically target dugong.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Chairman Russell Reichelt said the GBRMPA was very concerned about illegal netting practices to target dugongs and that compliance patrols would continue to focus on this activity.

"We have been working closely with Traditional Owners on this issue and patrols are being sent to areas where this practice has been reported," he said.

"Traditional Owners value their right to hunt culturally significant animals in their sea country and respect the importance of doing this in a sustainable way.

"Regrettably, the practice by some people of illegally using nets for the purpose of targeting dugong is now impacting on those Traditional Owners whose hunting practices are aligned with their customs and traditions."

Dr Reichelt said the mesh size of the nets that have entangled the dugongs in recent months had been larger than permitted, making them illegal.

"We believe these nets are being specifically set to catch dugong, possibly for a black market trade in dugong meat," he said.

"Illegal nets have been seized and will continue to be seized, and we will continue to work to identify those persons responsible for setting them."

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee Chair Melissa George said during discussions at the recent Sea Country Partnerships Forum in Cairns Traditional Owners and community leaders expressed concern about the use of nets to target dugong.

"The practice of using nets to specifically target dugongs has also been condemned by Traditional Owners," she said.

"The impact of this unsustainable and culturally inappropriate practice by a very small number of people, could not only damage other Traditional Owner's customary practices within the Great Barrier Reef but could also have a negative impact on the positive work being undertaken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples across northern Australia to manage this species sustainably.

“The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is working in partnership with Traditional Owners to initiate programs that support the transfer and uptake of knowledge incorporating Indigenous and western scientific approaches to management, through the development of a range of management mechanisms."

Ms George suggested that there needed to be a holistic approach to the management of these species.

“There are a wide range of activities impacting on dugong numbers, such as habitat degradation, boat strikes, sedimentation and pollution. All of these threats need to be addressed collectively without singling out Indigenous take as the most threatening of all processes.

"In saying this we need to be very clear that Traditional Owners do not condone the use of set nets to harvest dugong, as this practice is unsustainable and not supported.”

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