Bayside Bulletin 21 Feb 08;
Dugongs are fleeing seagrass feeding grounds on Moreton and Amity banks and going to places like Thompson’s Point on Macleay, as the grass is more extensive.
A SUDDEN increase in dugong numbers in the South Moreton Bay region has raised concerns over the health of their traditional dugong feeding grounds.
Spokesman for the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Bayside Branch Simon Baltais said the recent Lyngbya toxic algae bloom (cyanobacteria) may have caused significant damage to the seagrass meadows on the Moreton and Amity banks and this might explain the sudden appearance of large numbers of dugongs in the waters of Southern Moreton Bay.
“The sudden appearance of dugongs in the waters of Southern Moreton Bay is a major concern, but also highlights some positives,” he said.
“Photographs by local residents and research by WPSQBB shows the Southern Moreton Bay region still supports significant seagrass meadows and dugongs maybe using these until the seagrass meadows on the Moreton Banks have recovered.
“The use of the seagrass meadows in the Southern Moreton Bay region shows how important they are to the long term survival of the Moreton Bay dugong population.
“We should be ensuring we take great care of these seagrass meadows if we are to continue to enjoy the magnificent sight of dugongs, something that is quite special as there is no other place on the planet where one can see a dugong herd so close to a major urban centre.”
Mr Baltais said anyone boating in the Southern Bay region should show great care and reduce their speed.
“We would be very keen to hear more about these dugong sightings,” he said.
