Gulf of Carpentaria dugong numbers fall 50% in new survey

A recent collaborative survey by researchers from James Cook University, Charles Darwin University and Indigenous Ranger groups has revealed a 50 percent drop in the estimated population of dugongs in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The assessment, based on extensive fieldwork across the Gulf’s coastal waters, indicates that the number of these marine mammals has halved compared with previous estimates, signaling a rapid and concerning decline in a region that supports one of the world’s most significant dugong habitats.

The findings underscore an urgent need for targeted conservation measures to halt and reverse the trend. Scientists attribute the decrease to a combination of habitat degradation, increased fishing pressure and climate‑related impacts, while Indigenous rangers emphasize the cultural importance of dugongs to local communities. Authorities and stakeholders are being urged to develop and implement coordinated protection strategies, including stricter marine zoning, enhanced monitoring and community‑led management, to safeguard the remaining population and ensure the long‑term health of the Gulf’s marine ecosystem.