The Great Barrier Reef is a world-renowned natural wonder that houses stunning coral formations and a diverse array of marine life. Among the iconic species inhabiting this remarkable ecosystem is the dugong, a gentle giant that plays a crucial role in keeping the Reef’s balance in check.

Historically known as sea cows because of their grazing habits and large, round body shape, dugongs actually share no relation to their bovine doppelgängers. They’re more closely related to elephants than other marine mammals.

Unique as they are, dugongs unfortunately face numerous threats that threaten their survival.

Why are dugongs important to the Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it owes much of its global importance to the presence of dugongs. The Reef’s globally significant populations of dugongs was one of the reasons it was given its World Heritage status.

The dugong is a cultural keystone species to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living along the Reef and is the world’s only strictly herbivorous marine mammal. They play an important role in the health of seagrass meadows through seed dispersal and germination. As these gentle marine giants graze on seagrass, they inadvertently aid in the distribution of seeds, fostering the growth and sustainability of these crucial underwater ecosystems.

Seagrass plays a major role in a healthy marine environment. It prevents coastal erosion, improves water quality, stores carbon dioxide, and provides a home for many sea creatures.

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

Boat strikes, accidental entanglement in fishing gill nets and marine debris, and habitat degradation due to coastal development as well as declining water quality all pose a threat to dugongs in the Reef. The combined impact of these threats is unsustainable, and urgent action to protect dugongs and their environment is needed.

How are we boosting conservation?

There is some good news! The Queensland Government has committed more than $1 billion since 2015 to safeguard the Reef.

We are also taking steps to phase out the use of gill nets for fishing in the Reef by mid-2027 so we can better protect our Reef’s threatened and iconic species.

Gill netting is used by commercial fishers in the Reef to catch species such as barramundi, king threadfin and some species of mackerel. They work by entangling a fish’s gills or fins when they try and swim through the net’s mesh.

Unfortunately, gill nets also inadvertently entangle other marine animals such as dugongs, dolphins, turtles and sawfish. Entangled animals can be injured or killed.

Many countries worldwide, even those without World Heritage sites, have already imposed restrictions or bans on gill nets due to their harmful impact on marine ecosystems.

Help us support their long-term survival

Dugongs face unique challenges due to their long lifespan, up to 70 years, and their slow reproductive rate, with breeding occurring every three to seven years. As a result, their populations are in steady and ongoing decline. The loss of even a single dugong can have a significant impact on their populations, which is why their protection is crucial.

By phasing out gill nets we are adding an extra layer of protection to help support the long-term survival of dugongs and other threatened, endangered and protected species.

The establishment of a pilot seagrass nursery to support the restoration of local seagrass meadows in the Whitsundays has seen great success, since the establishment of the Reef Islands Initiative in 2020.

This seagrass restoration project is being 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.

When boating, one way you can help avoid causing damage to the dugong’s food source, seagrass, is by being careful in shallow waters and not dragging boats over meadows.

Always go slow for those below, especially in shallow or seagrass-rich areas, as dugongs are hard to spot when surfacing.

And remember to report any injured or dead dugongs, turtles or dolphins by phone on 1300 Animal (1300 264 625). Marine animal strandings can also be reported by calling 1300 130 372.

Our efforts can ensure that these magnificent creatures continue to thrive in the waters of this remarkable natural wonder for generations to come.