Dead dugongs in Australia not netted by commercial fishermen

Reg Burton, North Queensland Register 30 Apr 10;

THREE dugong found dead in a net near Cairns were not caught by professional fishermen according to the Queensland Seafood Industry Association QSIA).

Industry spokesman Michael Gardner said he wanted to make it very clear that the net with two dugongs trapped had nothing whatsoever to do with commercial fishermen.

The net was spotted and picked up by the Navy's landing vessel, HMAS Labuan, while on its way from Cairns Harbour to Cooktown to take part in the ANZAC Day service.

"I think most people in the Cairns region probably realise what's going on with the deliberate killing of dugong but, whenever an incident like this involves a net, commercial fishermen can still suffer some collateral damage," he said.

"I want to make sure the reputation of local commercial fishermen is not harmed by the deaths of these dugong. This was not done by commercial fishermen."

LNP environment spokesman Glen Elmes called on the State Government to produce the net saying that the State Environment Minister, Kate Jones has made a habit of brushing aside widespread community concern and anger over dugong killings.

"The net picked up by the Navy appears to be black cotton of the type used in the illegal trade of dugong meat. That net needs to be produced and examined by local experts who will be able to tell who made it and where it came from," Mr Elmes said.

He said it appeared the commercial fishing industry was being blamed unfairly - especially as the net had not been properly identified.

Mr Gardner, president of the QSIA, called on authorities to take action on the deliberate netting of dugong.

He said local fishermen had confirmed the net involved was not a type used by commercial fishermen.

"Apparently, this is a net made to catch and kill dugong. There is no excuse for this type of killing of dugong. This wasteful, untargeted killing makes a mockery of State and Federal Government attempts to protect the species.

"It is also an insult to commercial fishermen who have been banned from working in a number of productive fishing grounds, had nets restricted and accepted a range of onerous fishing rules to reduce the risk of accidentally catching even a single dugong in a net anywhere in the State."