The process used in developing this dugong research strategy was firstly to host a one-day workshop of key stakeholders and interest groups. The aim of the workshop was to obtain broad input on the most urgent research needs for the conservation of dugongs and to develop a process by which research needs could be scoped into achievable and cost-effective research projects and then objectively prioritised.

The workshop was held on 30 October 1997 and involved researchers from James Cook University, Queensland Departments of Primary Industries and Environment and Heritage; representatives from potential funding agencies, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, CRC Reef Research Centre, Department of Defence and Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries; reef managers from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the (then) Queensland Departments of Environment and Heritage and Primary Industries; and representatives of key stakeholder agencies, including the Queensland Commercial Fishermen’s Organisation, Cape York Land Council, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, Central Queensland Land Council, Friends of Hinchinbrook and the North Queensland Conservation Council.

Delegates at the workshop were invited to develop scoping papers which would provide an overview of how research needs could be synthesised into research projects. The purpose of the scoping papers was to detail the objectives of the proposed project, its relevance to dugong conservation, an outline of methodologies which could be employed, the feasibility of the project, an approximate budget and time required to carry out the project.

Forty areas of research need were identified in the workshop and individuals with interests in these areas were invited to submit scoping papers. A total of 25 scoping papers were received. The total amount of funds needed to undertake the nominated projects amounted to $4.4m. These scoping papers were circulated to all workshop delegates and other interested parties. They were asked to comment on the proposed projects and score them along draft criteria formulated in the workshop (appendix 1).

In March 1998, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority formed a smaller Dugong Research Focus Group to review the comments of the workshop participants and interested parties, refine proposed projects, scope new projects if required, review the prioritisation criteria and develop an overall research strategy. The Dugong Research Focus Group consisted of: Dr J Oliver (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Chair), Mr T Stokes (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority), Professor H Marsh (James Cook University), Dr R Coles (Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries), Mr D McPhee (Queensland Commercial Fishermen’s Organisation), Professor C Crossland (CRC Reef Research Centre), Ms G Duell (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission) and Mr J Tager (North Queensland Conservation Council).

Through several iterations, a number of projects were re-scoped and added. A total of 22 projects were finally assessed (appendix 2). The Dugong Research Focus Group conceded that there were a number of important dugong management measures for which the Group could not come up with a feasible project. For example, the Group found it difficult to scope a project to measure the effectiveness of changed attendance rules for set mesh nets, mesh sizes and net types which were introduced to reduce accidental drowning of dugongs in mesh nets in DPA Zone B areas.

When it came to reviewing project priorities, the Group noted the difficulty in applying the rigidly structured criteria developed as part of the workshop (appendix 1). In particular, they found it difficult to prioritise objectively between projects in different research areas (e.g. dugong habitat projects vs socio-economic projects). In addition, it was felt that the criteria relating to funding and timing would artificially bias the strategy towards quick, cheap projects which were not necessarily the most important ones to carry out. Consequently, the Group adopted a process whereby research projects were categorised only within each research area; no prioritisation between research areas was attempted. The Group also agreed that project priorities should be assigned in broad terms only. It was felt that this approach would allow some flexibility to be retained by funding agencies in choosing projects to fund.

The following topics or categories of research were identified and each project was assigned to a category.

1. Projects designed to assess the effectiveness of current dugong protection measures
2. Projects likely to result in information which will directly assist in maintaining or enhancing dugong numbers
3. Projects that will assist with the development and implementation of cooperative management arrangements
4. Projects designed to minimise the impacts of management decisions on industry and other affected groups

Projects were ranked into High, Medium, and Low priorities within each research topic (refer to 'Dugong Research Priorities', page *). These priorities are intended to assist government bodies and other funding agencies in selecting a subset of projects for funding.