Dugongs are classified as vulnerable, not endangered, but with all the threats posed by people and climate change to the Great Barrier Reef, these gentle marine mammals need all the help they can get.
As the world’s only strictly herbivorous marine mammal, the dugong plays an important role in maintaining healthy seagrass meadows. As they feed, they help support seed dispersal and germination, contributing to the growth and sustainability of these important underwater ecosystems.
Healthy seagrass meadows provide benefits far beyond dugongs alone – it’s a quiet but crucial support for healthy marine environments(external link). It helps prevent coastal erosion, improves water quality, stores carbon dioxide and provides habitat for many marine species.
Threats to dugongs include:
- Boat strikes
- Accidental entanglement in fishing gill nets
- Entanglement in marine debris
- Habitat degradation associated with coastal development
- Declining water quality
Whether you’re on the water regularly or visiting the Reef, you can protect dugongs and their habitat.
In shallow waters avoid dragging boats across seagrass meadows, as this can damage an important food source for dugongs. Also, slow down in shallow or seagrass-rich areas. Dugongs can be difficult to spot when they surface, increasing the risk of boat strikes.
To know more: https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/our-department/news-media/down-to-earth/protecting-our-dugongs-of-the-great-barrier-reef
Here’s a short video with some nice images of GBR dugongs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE68xQm1yLM