Title

Effect of boat traffic on dugongs

Objective

To determine experimentally whether changes in boat traffic can influence short-term habitat use by dugongs.

Relevance

Anecdotal evidence suggests that dugongs can be displaced from an area by boat traffic. This is likely to be a serious impact in urban areas, and to reduce the effectiveness of Dugong Protection Areas.

Feasibility

It is possible to design experiments to study the dugong's short-term response to simulated boat traffic activity. However, only a small sample of such activities will be able to be simulated and over relatively short periods. It will not be possible to control the very large number of variables involved in complex natural systems. However, the simulations will provide insights into the short-term response of dugongs to boat traffic, provided the necessary ethics approvals can be obtained.

Methodology

This research will need to be carried out in an area where enough baseline information exists to allow firm conclusions to be drawn about the distribution and movements of dugongs. The short-term response of individual dugongs and dugong groups will be documented under a limited range of boat traffic regimes. The dugong's responses to such manipulations will be monitored from aircraft and by monitoring the movements of individuals tagged with satellite transmitters whose movement patterns are known. The experiments will be controlled by using undisturbed groups and/or by monitoring before, during and after experiments as appropriate. Parameters of boat traffic that will be examined include intensity, proximity, duration and frequency of disturbance.

Approximate cost

Assuming that this data were collected in association with an existing project (e.g. satellite tracking) then the cost would be approximately $5000 ($3000 aircraft charter, $2000 boat charter). A stand-alone project would also involve personnel costs in the order of $15 000).

Time required

Six months time to collect data, two months for analyses and write up.