Great Barrier Reef authority cracks down on dugong hunting

ABC Net 10 Jun 10;

Authorities say they have stepped up patrols on illegal dugong hunting in far north Queensland.

Five dugongs have been found dead in nets off far north Queensland over the past three months including two dugongs off the coast of Yarrabah last week.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chairman, Russell Reichelt, says he is concerned dugongs are being hunted for a black market meat trade.

He says the authority is investigating the recent dugong deaths.

"We've essentially stepped up patrols and they're more targeted now, we're receiving information all the time in relation to this issue and we will hope to soon be able to identify who's responsible and pursue them through legal avenues," he said.

Despair at Far Northern dugong hunts
Daniel Bateman The Cairns Post 11 Jun 10;

AUSTRALIA'S Japan Society has expressed its disappointment at Far North Queenslanders being allowed to hunt dugongs.

The society's Far North Queensland representative, Sam Sakamoto, said Japanese people were respectful of native cultures, but many would be shocked to find endangered dugongs were still being hunted in Australia, using both legal and illegal methods.

"It is a shock," Mr Sakamoto said. "It doesn't matter which nation is hunting those animals, but I feel very sorry for them, even kangaroos.

"Every time I see a dead body of a kangaroo on the highway, I feel very sorry for them because we are using their habitat."

It comes as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority steps up its patrols of illegal dugong poaching in the region after the deaths of five dugongs in Cairns waters in the past three months, including two dugongs caught in a net off the coast of Yarrabah last week.

GBRMPA chairman Dr Russell Reichelt said compliance patrols would be sent to areas where the practice had been reported.

"Traditional owners value their right to hunt culturally significant animals in their sea country and respect the importance of doing this in a sustainable way," Dr Reichelt said.

"Regrettably, the practice by some people of illegally using nets for the purpose of targeting dugong is now impacting on those traditional owners."

Traditional owners met in Cairns yesterday for a symposium on the hunting of dugong and turtles, hosted by Leichhardt Family First candidate Yodie Batzke.

She called for a 12-month trial moratorium on hunting turtle and dugong.

"A moratorium is common sense, it's logic - we need to get some sound management practices right across the board," she said.

Danny O'Shane, from the North Queensland Land Council, who attended the symposium, did not support a moratorium on dugong hunting saying it would affect those indigenous communities who depend on it for fresh meat.

"I don't support the idea of blatant misuse of the resource," Mr O'Shane said.

"I know that happens and it has to stop. But the way to control that is through the agreement with all the traditional owner groups."

GBRMPA indigenous reef advisory committee chairwoman Melissa George said a holistic approach to dugong management was needed.