Introduction

The Great Barrier Reef Region

Large numbers of turtles and dugongs inhabit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) (see Maps 1 and 2), with studies indicating that they are amongst the largest remaining populations in the world. The estimated dugong population for the Great Barrier Reef Region is 12 000 (Marsh 1992), occurring largely in northern areas of the GBRMP. The diversity of habitats in the Marine Park offers foraging grounds for marine turtles and supports internationally significant breeding aggregations of four species (green, loggerhead, hawksbill and flatback). The migratory nature of turtles, as they travel across state and international boundaries, makes them a nationally and internationally shared resource. Conservation of these populations requires the development of effective, concise and widely accepted strategies, to be managed by several agencies with the cooperation of the public. Effective management must be cooperative across regional, state, national and international administrative boundaries.

Conservation status

Worldwide, the dugong is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 1990) as being vulnerable to extinction. The species is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the factors causing a decline continue operating. Most species of marine turtles are listed as being endangered (IUCN 1990) and by definition are in danger of becoming extinct if the causal factors continue operating. The exception is the loggerhead turtle, which is listed as being vulnerable.

The Commonwealth Endangered Species Protection Act 1992, lists the green, hawksbill, olive ridley and leatherback turtles as being vulnerable to extinction, while the loggerhead is listed as being endangered. Dugongs are not listed by Australia, however both marine turtles and dugongs are protected by Queensland and Commonwealth legislation. The Queensland Government’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 lists dugongs and all species of marine turtles found in Queensland waters as protected wildlife.

The IUCN and Australian listings reflect the fact that while many species are threatened on a worldwide scale, Australia tends to have a large proportion of the remaining populations. The sensitive ecological status of these animals globally highlights the need for effective management strategies to protect and conserve the Australian populations.

Traditional hunting of turtles and dugongs has been an important custom of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders for many thousands of years.

Traditional hunting

Green turtles and dugongs play an important role in the traditions and culture of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. These people have traditionally hunted them for thousands of years, although some groups exclude hunting of turtles or dugongs because of spiritual beliefs. Traditional hunting and consumption of the animals serve important economic, cultural and social functions. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority considers that traditional hunting alone does not necessarily endanger the species and would encourage traditional practices to continue, while the species remain ecologically secure.

Commercial exploitation

Turtles and dugongs in the Great Barrier Reef Region are now protected against commercial take. A history of commercial exploitation in the Region and continuing exploitation of some species outside the Region, may have contributed to a decline in turtle and dugong populations along the east coast of Australia. These populations were exploited for commercial purposes from the late nineteenth century to the 1960s, when both animals became protected under Commonwealth and Queensland law. Under these laws, hunting for non-commercial purposes by Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders is permissible.

The only species of turtle that has been clearly defined to have suffered a major population decline is the loggerhead, which is not and has not been, commercially exploited. This suggests that there are clearly more factors impacting on turtle and dugong populations than either traditional hunting or commercial exploitation.