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The Australian Marine Conservation Society is saddened today to hear that another dugong has died from boat strike in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. The remains of a large, tagged, male dugong were discovered near Macleay Island, adjacent to Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay.
Craig Bohm, spokesperson for the Australian Marine Conservation Society, said “Dugongs are a threatened species and it is time we do more to secure their future – particularly in our marine parks.”
“We urgently need an independent scientific committee to set conservation targets for Moreton Bay Marine Park. These targets should help us protect dugongs as well as the seagrass meadows and other habitats they depend on for their survival,” Bohm continued.
“The Australian Marine Conservation Society also acknowledges the commercial ferry operator who reported the strike. This was a responsible act and one which demonstrates a commitment to be part of the solution,” Bohm said.
Dugongs are listed as vulnerable to extinction in Queensland by the Nature Conservation (wildlife) Regulation (1994) and internationally vulnerable to extinction by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) (2003).
“The Australian Marine Conservation Society understands that 16 dugongs die on average in Moreton Bay Marine Park each year. This is certainly unsustainable and for most Queenslanders unacceptable” Bohm said.
“During 2007, Moreton Bay Marine Park is under review by the Queensland Government. This is our chance to let the Queensland Government know that we want conservation targets set for the park to secure a better future for our dugongs and other precious wildlife,” Bohm concluded.
Members of the public can obtain a copy of our Dugongs of Moreton Bay Fact Sheet by visiting http://www.marineconservation.org.au/ and following the links to Fact Sheets
Media contact:
Craig Bohm, Australian Marine Conservation Society - 07 3393 5811
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