December 2004
In this Issue:

Future cyclones make a smaller splash than expected

From the CEO's desk
The future for CRC Reef

Is there really a battle for barra?

Healthy country, healthy reef

Seagrass scientists see the big picture

Spotting the difference between coral trout

Earbones hold the key to fishy secrets

Another view of science

Record minke whale sightings

Mussel mimic to prevent marine fouling

Fish study hooks gold for researcher

New Publications

ARE WE REACHING YOU?
Fill in our questionnaire and
win a case of wine!

CRC Torres Strait

Tagged dugongs stay near Mabuiag Island

Torres Strait Cultural Festival

IMPAC

Peace in the Oceans

IOI (Australia) hosts second regional consultation

Visit from New Caledonia's Indigenous leaders

Spend 2005 with fishes and turtles

 

TAGGED DUGONGS STAY NEAR MABUIAG ISLAND

In September, James Sheppard and his team from James Cook University and CRC Torres Strait, with the help of local Mabuiag Island hunters, attached satellite tags to wild dugongs so that the movement and behaviour of the dugongs could be tracked. Rough weather made it difficult to catch dugongs, nevertheless, by the end of the trip three animals had been successfully captured and tagged without incident. One of the tags, which was attached to a male dugong, seems to have prematurely broken free, and is drifting west of Torres Strait.

The team plan with Mabuiag Council

The dugong research team planning with members of Mabuiag council. Photo: JCU.

On 14 October (about four weeks after the tags were attached), the two tagged dugongs were still very close to Mabuiag Island. The two metre long female dugong (#5537) was 14.5km northeast of Mabuiag and the 1.9 metre long male dugong (# 5065) was 15.8km north of Mabuiag.

The dugongs are maintaining relatively small ranges around the reefs northeast of Mabuiag - close to where they were originally captured on 15 September. As more information is collected, James and his team will be able to better understand the factors that are influencing the dugongs’ movements.

The satellite tags were built for tracking dugongs. Once attached to the dugong's tail, the units should transmit regular location fixes until they eventually detach in about 4 – 6 months via a corroding zinc link built in the harness.

The team were accompanied by local hunters when they went to catch dugongs due to the strong weather conditions. When the dugong was caught,a padded rope was attached to its tail, and the dugong secured against the side of a boat. While the dugong was being supported and monitored by the research team, the satellite tag was carefully attached to its tail. Its length was measured and its gender recorded. A biopsy was taken and then the dugong was released unharmed.

For more information contact James Sheppard, james.sheppard@jcu.edu.au

 

CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd

PO Box 772 Townsville Queensland 4810 Australia Telephone: 61 47298400 Facsimile: 6147298499 Email: Info@crcreef.com Website: www.reef.crc.org.au

Created with recycled HTML Code

CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd was established and is supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program. Its mission is to plan, fund and manage world-leading science for the sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. CRC Reef is a joint venture between Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation, James Cook University, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Seafood Industry Association, and Sunfish Queensland Inc. The University of Queensland is an associate member.