Researchers and Traditional Owners from across the Gulf of Carpentaria are calling for stronger protections for dugongs and Sea Country after a recent survey revealed substantially fewer dugongs than the last dugong census in 2007.
TropWATER
Latest survey raises concerns for dugong populations in the Gulf of Carpentaria
3 September 2026
TropWATER
While numbers remained steady in Northern Territory waters, significantly fewer dugongs were found on the Queensland side of the Gulf, with 63 dugongs recorded around the Wellesley Islands compared to 240 in the 2007 surveys.
Researchers from James Cook University’s TropWATER and Charles Darwin University’s Northern Institute, who coordinated the survey, note that raw counts do not tell the whole story but do suggest substantial changes in either dugong abundance or distribution since 2007.
Recent monitoring has also found significant declines of seagrass – the main food source for dugongs – in several important dugong areas in the region, including Yanyuwa Sea Country around the Sir Edward Pellew Islands, Marra Sea Country at Limmen Bight, and Karumba.
James Cook University TropWATER’s Dr Chris Cleguer said regular monitoring is critical, with the existing surveys providing only a snapshot of dugong populations 18 years apart.
“We cannot wait another 18 years for the next Gulf-wide survey,” Dr Cleguer said. “Just as importantly, we need to support Traditional Owners to lead ongoing monitoring of dugongs and Sea Country between these regional surveys.”
Yanyuwa Traditional Owner Shaun Evans said dugongs cannot be considered in isolation from Sea Country, and that changes in dugong populations and their habitat were both cultural and environmental concerns.
“Dugongs are really important to Yanyuwa people. They are part of our culture and our Country,” Mr Evans said. “We need the resources and authority to look after Country properly.”
Charles Darwin University’s Dr Rachel Groom said that monitoring must lead to practical action, with a coordinated response from Traditional Owners, Ranger groups, researchers, and state, territory, and federal governments.
“The survey is an important warning signal, but on its own, it cannot tell us why this change has occurred,” Dr Groom said. “Traditional Owner knowledge, Ranger observations, and science need to be brought together, and communities need the authority, information, and resources to respond when Country is changing.”
The Gulf-wide survey was funded by the Australian Government under the National Environmental Science Program and the Queensland Government.
