Call for boat ban in Moreton Bay after carcass of baby dugong washes up on beach

Some seaside residents are calling for boats to be banned after a dead dugong was found washed up on a beach, but authorities say it might have died of natural causes.

Some Moreton Bay residents are calling for boats to be banned or altered to protect sea creatures after a dead dugong was found washed up on a beach.

Tracey Spears, who posted photos of the dead animal to the Redcliffe Peninsula Community Facebook group, wrote she believed the sea cow had been hit on the head by a boat.

“Pretty sad sight at Scotts Point this morning,” she wrote on Saturday.

“A juvenile dugong with a boat strike to its head and lots of scars on its back.

“Wildlife rescue are aware and coming to remove it.”

Matt Janey Parsons wrote under the photos of the carcass they thought boats should not be allowed in dugong areas.

“So sad! Needs put on Facebook map to say no boats allowed in dugong areas! To stay away in that areas! (sic),” they said.

But Ashley McCallum said that was not realistic.

“That would entail banning boats from the entirety of Moreton Bay. Never going to happen,” he wrote.

A dead dugong washed up on the beach at Scotts Point in Moreton Bay on Saturday. Picture: Tracey Spears/Facebook

Kristine Lynch and Gabrielle Davies blamed humans for the animal’s death in separate comments.

“Not even safe in the ocean,” Ms Lynch wrote.
“Exactly. It’s their home and they are dying because of moronic humans,” replied Ms Davies.

But a Department of Environment and Science (DES) spokesman told the Courier Mail wildlife rangers who removed the dugong’s body found no obvious cause of death, including from a possible hit by a boat.

“Queensland Parks and Wildlife got a call from a member of the public Saturday morning,” he said.
“The rangers assessed the dugong and determined it was a young adult that was underweight with no obvious cause of death.
“Strandings and carcasses washing ashore can happen for many different reasons, including natural mortality.”

The juvenile dugong had cuts over its back. Picture: Tracey Spears/Facebook

The DES spokesman said, as with any wild creatures, a small number of dugong deaths along the coast was to be expected each year.
Jane Kerr, 61, of Margate was walking her 2-year-old greyhound, Miss Muffin, about 6.35am Saturday when she also happened across the remains of the protected species.

The 10-year area resident said she had never seen a dugong on Scotts Point beach before, but she did not think it was hit by a boat.

“Everyone swims down there,” she said. “If it was hit by a boat it would have been out deeper and beached out there.

“There were scratches on its back and someone else said they thought they saw an injury to its head, but I couldn’t see anything.

“I just felt really sad when I saw it.”

Jane Kerr, 61, of Margate also came across the dead dugong at Scotts Point on Saturday. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

Under the Facebook post, Dyann Elizabeth suggested encasing boat propellers in cages in order to help protect vulnerable sealife.
“They need to put a cage around the propeller, like the floor fans we use to cool us,” she said.
“I reckon one of those boats that go through the swamps with the propeller up out of water would be better in the bay.
“They are actually called airboats in Australia which they use in the Everglades.
“Aircraft powered boats have the advantage of being lighter weight, more manoeuverable and have a greater initial thrust than automotive engine powered boats when used in shallow and marshy areas, but would be great in Moreton Bay for sure and you can fish off them too.”

Koba Gee agreed, saying propeller-driven boats should not be allowed in the area.

In October, wildlife officers launched an investigation and called for witnesses after a dismembered dugong was found on a beach in the Cape Pallerenda Conservation Park, northeast of Townsville in Far North Queensland.
Parts of the dugong carcass were allegedly found not far from an extinguished fire.

Four dugongs and a groper were also found “suspiciously” dead in different spots across Queensland in September, but they were not believed to be related.