Illegal traders of dugong, turtle meat targeted with $5m poaching crackdown
The Federal Government is warning anyone involved in the illegal trade of dugong and turtle meat that they will be caught.
The Government has allocated $5 million to a dugong and turtle protection plan that involves the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Customs and Border Protection, and the Australian Crime Commission.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the Crime Commission has been given $2 million to investigate the illegal trade.
Traditional owners have given their backing to the Government's protection plan.
"They know that their good name is being used by poachers," Mr Hunt said.
"We are determined to end the illegal trafficking in dugong and turtle meat and to protect these majestic creatures."
Under the Native Title Act of 1993, Indigenous people with native title rights can hunt marine turtles and dugong for personal, domestic or non-commercial communal needs, and "in exercise and enjoyment of their native title rights and interests".
Dugong and turtle poaching has been identified as a problem in the Northern Territory and Queensland, where the animals are hunted and the meat sold illegally.
National Indigenous radio broadcaster Seith Fourmile said non-Indigenous people were also involved in the illegal trade.
"They are involved with the trading, with selling it, passing it down - some of the turtle meat has gone as far south as Sydney and Melbourne," he said.
Mr Hunt warned poachers to "be worried".
"It's time to protect these species. We're putting serious resources and serious people on the task," he said.
"If you are poaching dugong and turtle meat, transporting it illegally, you should be worried because the toughest cops on the beat are coming after you."
An Australian government survey in 2003 into dugong populations in the NT estimated the coastline from Daly River to Milingimbi at supporting over 13,000 animals.
It lists a number of threats to dugongs, including accidental entanglement in gill and mesh nets set by commercial fishers, habitat loss and degradation, boat strikes and harassment by tourists.
Other listed threats include acoustic and chemical pollution, disease, tidal surges and "capture stress", after two animals died while being fitted with radio devices for research purposes.
