Protecting dugongs in the Great Barrier Reef

Beneath the surface of the Great Barrier Reef, dugongs quietly shape one of the ecosystem's most important habitats. These large marine mammals spend their days grazing on seagrass meadows, helping maintain the health of underwater ecosystems that support countless other species.

But dugongs face growing pressures, from habitat loss and declining water quality to boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Protecting dugongs means protecting the seagrass habitats they depend on and the wider Reef ecosystem they help sustain.

Why dugongs matter to the Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its globally significant dugong population contributed to its World Heritage listing.

The dugong is also a cultural keystone species for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living along the Reef.

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. It helps prevent coastal erosion, improves water quality, stores carbon dioxide and provides habitat for many marine species.

What do dugongs eat and where do they live?

Dugongs rely on seagrass as their primary food source and spend much of their lives in seagrass meadows found in shallow coastal waters. These meadows form a critical part of dugong habitat, providing the food and conditions dugongs need to survive.

Often referred to as sea cows because of their grazing habits and rounded body shape, dugongs are not related to cattle. In fact, they are more closely related to elephants than other marine mammals.

Because dugongs depend so heavily on healthy seagrass ecosystems, threats to seagrass habitats can have direct consequences for dugong populations.

Threats facing dugongs in the Great Barrier Reef

Despite their ecological and cultural significance, dugongs are classified as vulnerable by both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Queensland Government's Nature Conservation Regulation.

A number of pressures affect dugongs in the Great Barrier Reef, including:

• Boat strikes
• Accidental entanglement in fishing gill nets
• Entanglement in marine debris
• Habitat degradation associated with coastal development
• Declining water quality

The combined impact of these threats places increasing pressure on dugong populations and the habitats they rely on.
Dugongs are particularly vulnerable because they reproduce slowly. They can live for up to 70 years, but breeding occurs only every three to seven years. As a result, the loss of even a single dugong can have a significant impact on local populations.

How we're helping protect dugongs

The Queensland Government has committed more than $1 billion since 2015 to safeguard the Reef.

As part of broader efforts to protect the Reef's threatened and iconic species, Queensland is also phasing out the use of gill nets in the Great Barrier Reef by mid-2027.

Gill nets are used by commercial fishers to catch species such as barramundi, king threadfin, and some species of mackerel. Fish become caught when their gills or fins become entangled in the net's mesh.

However, gill nets can also unintentionally trap other marine animals, including dugongs, dolphins, turtles, and sawfish. Entangled animals can suffer injury or death.

Many countries around the world have already introduced restrictions or bans on gill nets because of their impact on marine ecosystems. Phasing out gill nets in the Reef will provide an additional layer of protection for dugongs and other threatened, endangered and protected species.

Restoring and protecting dugong habitat

Protecting dugongs also means protecting and restoring the seagrass meadows they depend on.

A pilot seagrass nursery supporting the restoration of local seagrass meadows has been established in the Whitsundays through the Reef Islands Initiative, which began in 2020.

The seagrass restoration project is delivered through the Whitsundays Reef Islands Initiative, a Great Barrier Reef Foundation program supported by funding from Lendlease, the Australian Government's Reef Trust, the Queensland Government and the Fitzgerald Family Foundation.

By supporting healthy seagrass ecosystems, projects like these help strengthen habitat for dugongs and many other marine species that rely on these underwater meadows.

How you can help with dugong conservation

Whether you're on the water regularly or visiting the Reef, there are simple ways to help protect dugongs and their habitat.

When boating in shallow waters, avoid dragging boats across seagrass meadows, as this can damage an important food source for dugongs.

It's also important to slow down in shallow or seagrass-rich areas. Dugongs can be difficult to spot when they surface, increasing the risk of boat strikes.

If you see a stranded or injured marine mammal – including dugongs, whales, and dolphins – report it by calling 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625). You can also use the free QWildlife app for iOS or Android.

Dugongs have long been part of the Great Barrier Reef's ecosystems and cultural heritage. Protecting these unique marine mammals, along with the seagrass habitats they depend on, will help support their survival into the future.