Did you know that Dugongs are sighted in the waters off the Gold Coast? Dugong Sightings GC has been working with the Gold Coast community to better understand, monitor, and protect the habitats of these gentle marine mammals.
You can join us by becoming a Dugong Spotter! Help us by reporting sightings and spreading awareness about the importance of protecting these incredible creatures and their ecosystems.
Dugongs, often called the “sea cows” of the ocean, are gentle marine mammals that rely on seagrass meadows for survival. These iconic creatures play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems by grazing on seagrass, which helps recycle nutrients and support biodiversity. However, dugongs face significant threats, including habitat loss due to coastal development, increased marine zone usage and marine pollution.
While historically more common in quieter waters, dugongs are increasingly being observed in areas with higher human activity as they adapt to changing conditions.
Dugongs Sightings GC is now a collaboration run by different environment individuals as well as Watergum, committed to understanding more about dugongs, their distribution and their habitats.
Report your sighting!
Dugong sightings in South East Queensland can occur year-round, as these gentle marine mammals graze on seagrass meadows in coastal waters.
The bustling Gold Coast waterways can pose significant risks to dugongs, such as accidental collisions with watercraft and habitat degradation. To protect them, it’s crucial to gather more data about their movements, feeding habits, and habitat use in the region.
That’s where Dugong Spotters come in. By keeping an eye out for dugongs while on the water or along the coast, our community can help monitor sightings and report any activity. These observations enable our team to map key habitats, identify areas of concern, and work towards protecting these remarkable marine mammals and the seagrass ecosystems they depend on.
Protecting dugong habitat
You can help our local dugongs by:
- Beach clean ups remove debris that can endanger Dugongs and their calves.
- Seagrass surveys to gain a better understanding of seagrass health
- Wildlife friendly boating practises to make sure that our Dugongs don’t get hurt
Dugongs are a vulnerable species, which means they must not be approached or disturbed.
Get involved!
Getting involved with Dugong Sighting GC is easy, and makes a real difference! Your regular sighting reports can contribute vital data to protect and conserve dugongs on the Gold Coast.
Submit your data
Did you spot a Dugong? Submit your data to our citizen science database and make a difference.
See our outcomes
We make sure our data makes a difference. Check our dashboard. (coming soon)
Join our community
We have a dedicated facebook group! Join the group today. For more info: [email protected]
Dugong Sightings GC is run in collaboration with
This program recieves funding and support from
Want to learn more about how we are protecting our waterways?