Marine wildlife strandings
As a fallout from the 2011 natural disasters, dugong and turtles are struggling to find food and are suffering from malnutrition. This is because seagrass—their major food source—have become stressed by repeated periods of murky water and low salinity following flooding in the coastal catchments.
The reduction of seagrass (over 80 per cent decline in some locations) has contributed to turtles becoming sluggish and having reduced breath-holding capacity, which means turtles are spending more time at the surface and travelling further distances in search of food, increasing the likelihood of boat strikes
Marine animals in poor health are also less able to fight diseases, strong ocean currents or escape entanglement in fishing gear.
To report marine animal strandings* call the RSPCA Qld on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625). A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) officer in the relevant region will be contacted with your information and will determine the appropriate response. QPWS will not be able to attend to all reported cases.
* marine animal strandings of sick, injured or dead turtles, dolphin, dugongs or whales
QPWS will require the following information:
- location (GPS coordinates if possible)
- a description of what is wrong with the animal (e.g. stranded on beach, injuries, entangled in a net, injured)
- a description of the animal (type of animal—dugong, turtle, whale, dolphin; condition; size and any identifying tags)
- photos (if available)
- your contact details.
Resources
- What you can do—Commercial fishers (PDF, 286K)*
- Marine animal strandings information sheet—You can help (PDF, 309K)*
- Marine wildlife strandings—Operational policy (PDF, 131K)*
The operational policy outlines the role of DERM in responding to stranded marine wildlife in coastal waters, foreshores, islands and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 17 February 2012