Values for conservation

Impacts on turtles and dugongs

Dugongs may become entangled in gill nets and shark nets

Present day turtle and dugong populations face numerous impacts that contribute to a decline in numbers. The seriousness of these impacts needs to be understood for the continued existence of turtles and dugongs. Factors identified as currently posing a real or potential risk to populations include (in no particular order):

commercial gill netting
boat traffic
pollution
coastal development
international over-exploitation
traditional hunting
shark netting operations
habitat degradation
commercial trawling
illegal take
disturbance of nesting sites
terrestrial practices and run-off
natural impacts including tropical cyclones, floods, storms and predators.

Motorised boat traffic may have detrimental effects due to boat strike and noise disturbance

For turtle and dugong populations to exist in a healthy state, these impacts must be effectively managed and where necessary, prevented altogether.

Values for conservation

Conservation of turtle and dugong populations:

promotes international agreement to arrest declines in biodiversity;
is a significant contribution to conserving the overall character, cultural and environmental integrity of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, of which turtle and dugongs are integral elements;
assists the continuation of unique traditional cultures; and
maintains future options for humanity to continue to appreciate the species.