Become a Dugong Defender

The Bay is a very important area for herding dugongs. It is one of three important sites in Queensland, where large numbers of dugongs are found. The extensive shallow seagrass beds of Moreton Bay support the largest, southern-most resident population of dugongs on the east coast of Australia. Grazing herds of dugongs move up over the shallow seagrass beds with the tide. Groups of 10 to 100 animals are common, but herds of 300 have been recorded.

The dugongs in Moreton Bay face the threat of diminishing food sources. Seagrass meadows, the primary food source for dugong, once occurred close to Brisbane’s shoreline but pollution, algal blooms, high boat traffic and turbid waters have reduced their distribution. Today, dugong need to rely on smaller seagrass meadows for food and habitat. When the seagrass habitat becomes unsuitable for foraging, dugong populations are displaced and placed under greater threat.

Dugong are particularly susceptible to boat strike as they come to the surface to breathe, putting them directly in the path of boats and other watercraft. Boats travelling at speed or in shallow waters over seagrass beds or coral reefs pose a great threat. The increasing human population in south east Queensland and the rise in visitors to Moreton Bay will result in raised boat strike incidents.

The Moreton Bay Foundation’s Dugong Defender regular giving program helps fund evidence-based, robust and credible research into the key challenges facing Moreton Bay.