Dugong deaths spark plea for better protection

The Federal Opposition is calling for tougher action to prevent the deaths of dugongs after three died when they were caught in a net in far north Queensland last week.

A Navy landing craft found the dead animals off Cairns on Friday and the crew set free a fourth which was still alive.

Authorities have said the net is not believed to be a commercial fishing net.

Federal Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt says turtles and dugongs are being poached.

“This is the moment to enforce the law and to protect turtles, to protect dugongs and if the Government won’t do it, then the Opposition will push and push and push until these majestic creatures have been protected,” he said.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) says the net had not been in the area for long.

QPWS spokesman Richard Quincey says it is not believed to be a commercial fishing net.

“We have had a number of nets set in the Cairns area over time. I wouldn’t say it’s a common occurrence but it has happened previously,” he said.

“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority had been doing patrols in the area to try and determine the extent of this issue.”

The Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) says it is important commercial fishermen are not blamed for the deaths of the dugongs.

QSIA president Michael Gardner says commercial fishermen operate under strict rules.

“Commercial fishermen are bound to man their nets,” he said.

“There’s only a certain distance they’re allowed to go away from their nets so that if there is an interaction with an endangered species like a dugong there’s every chance that the animal can be released alive.”

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/27/2883218.htm