Dugongs facing extinction in Torres Strait

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Dugongs facing extinction: report

November 8, 2004

 

DUGONGS are in danger of being hunted to extinction in the Torres

Strait, a report has found.

 

About 1000 dugongs were killed by islanders each year - almost 10 times

the sustainable level, the report by dugong expert Dr Helene Marsh

found.

 

The dugong, or sea cow, is listed as a vulnerable species in Queensland

but limited hunting is allowed by islander communities, for whom the

hunt has spiritual and cultural significance as well as providing food.

 

Federal Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald said the traditional harvesting

would be immediately assessed under environmental laws to protect the

marine animal.

 

Senator Macdonald ruled out a complete hunting ban, saying Torres Strait

Islanders had rights under international conventions to harvest the

animals.

 

But he said the issue had to be addressed.

 

" At this rate it's unsustainable, " Senator Macdonald said.

 

" At this rate, it will mean that the species will no longer be available

for cultural pursuits.

 

" We have to work very closely with the islander communities to get a

result.

 

" That's been happening for a while but it's been going too slowly and if

we hesitate, if we pause, if we don't proceed quickly enough, it may

become too late. "

 

Senator Macdonald said discussions had started with islander leaders

about ways of controlling the harvest, but if there was no quick

resolution, stronger laws might be needed.

 

More education was needed to stop the islander communities over-hunting

the animal, he said.

 

Senator Macdonald conceded that commercial fishing and the availability

of food, particularly sea grass, were affecting dugong numbers.

 

" But certainly the indigenous take of the dugong is a matter for concern

and I think the islanders and in fact all Australians would agree that

we need to do something about that very urgently, " he said.

 

Senator Macdonald said the issue would be assessed under the Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and would be on the agenda

at the next meeting of the Protected Zone Joint Authority.

 

AAP