Date: Wed, 2 Jul, 1997
QLD, Australia: Concern over Dugong slaughter

BRISBANE, (AAP) - Queensland fishermen were concerned about reports that 500 adult dugong had been slaughtered for the illegal export of the meat, Queensland Commercial Fishermen's Organisation president Ted Loveday said tonight.

Media reports this week claimed an illegal dugong meat operation was based near the remote Lockhart River on the eastern side of Cape York Peninsula.

Customs officers last year seized 200 tonnes of dugong meat in the same area. The meat was believed to be ready for shipment to South-East Asia, he said.

Mr Loveday said if this week's television reports were accurate the implications could be serious for the survival of dugong which is classified as an endangered species and listed as critically vulnerable.

A joint federal-state task force meeting in Cairns last month under Environment Minister Senator Robert Hill banned gill net fishing along stretches of the north Queensland coastline known as dugong feeding grounds.

Mr Loveday said: "If the latest allegations are true, hundreds or even thousands of dugong may have been killed for their meat by black market poachers."

He called on the federal and Queensland governments to launch an immediate investigation.

Mr Loveday said gill net fishermen faced job losses because of the netting ban but the sharp decline in dugong numbers in north Queensland waters may be at least partly due to illegal poaching.



Back to MENU