❓ Mr. Love inquires about the dugong and turtle populations in Shark Bay, including population estimates, monitoring methods, trends, impacts of environmental factors, and existing protection programs. The response indicates stable populations and management plans in place.
AnsweredQoN 751Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What is the most recent estimate of the dugong population in Shark Bay, and how does this compare to estimates from the past ten years? (2) What is the most recent estimate of the turtle population in Shark Bay, broken down by species where possible? (3) When was the last comprehensive survey of dugongs, turtles, and other air-breathing marine animals in Shark Bay undertaken? (4) What methods are used to monitor populations of dugongs and turtles in Shark Bay (for example, aerial surveys, tagging, satellite tracking, local reporting)? (5) What trends have been identified in the population status of these species over the past decade (stable, increasing, or declining)? (6) What impact, if any, has seagrass decline, climate events, or human activity had on the dugong and turtle populations in Shark Bay? (7) What programs, if any, are in place to ensure the protection and long-term sustainability of air-breathing marine animals in Shark Bay?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment
Response time
5 days
1. Dugong abundance in Shark Bay is estimated to be approximately 9500 animals. The population has remained relatively stable over the past 30 years.
2. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) conducts long-term loggerhead turtle monitoring on Dirk Hartog Island in Shark Bay. Data suggests there are 7650 breeding females nesting in Western Australia, with up to 86 per cent at the Dirk Hartog Island rookery. Green turtles forage in Shark Bay but there are no rookeries and local population size is unknown.
3. The most recent survey was conducted between 8-19 June 2023 and recorded presence of turtles, dugong and other marine mammals. Abundance estimates were only calculated for dugong. Nesting loggerhead turtles are surveyed annually over a four week period at Dirk Hartog Island.
4. Aerial surveys are used to monitor dugongs, while loggerhead turtles are monitored at the rookery using observation of tagged animals, track counts and measurement of hatchling success. Records are made of strandings, entanglements and mortalities of these species, with assistance from the local community.
5. Populations of both dugong and loggerhead turtles in Shark Bay are considered to be stable.
6. No specific impacts have been recorded. As outlined above, dugong populations have remained stable in Shark Bay, including after seagrass declines following the 2010/11 marine heatwave. There has not been an increase in public reports of stranded turtles.
7. Shark Bay’s conservation values, including air-breathing marine animals, are managed consistent with the Shark Bay Marine Reserves management plan and Shark Bay World Heritage Property Strategic Plan, and legislative provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 , Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 , Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .
2. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) conducts long-term loggerhead turtle monitoring on Dirk Hartog Island in Shark Bay. Data suggests there are 7650 breeding females nesting in Western Australia, with up to 86 per cent at the Dirk Hartog Island rookery. Green turtles forage in Shark Bay but there are no rookeries and local population size is unknown.
3. The most recent survey was conducted between 8-19 June 2023 and recorded presence of turtles, dugong and other marine mammals. Abundance estimates were only calculated for dugong. Nesting loggerhead turtles are surveyed annually over a four week period at Dirk Hartog Island.
4. Aerial surveys are used to monitor dugongs, while loggerhead turtles are monitored at the rookery using observation of tagged animals, track counts and measurement of hatchling success. Records are made of strandings, entanglements and mortalities of these species, with assistance from the local community.
5. Populations of both dugong and loggerhead turtles in Shark Bay are considered to be stable.
6. No specific impacts have been recorded. As outlined above, dugong populations have remained stable in Shark Bay, including after seagrass declines following the 2010/11 marine heatwave. There has not been an increase in public reports of stranded turtles.
7. Shark Bay’s conservation values, including air-breathing marine animals, are managed consistent with the Shark Bay Marine Reserves management plan and Shark Bay World Heritage Property Strategic Plan, and legislative provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 , Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 , Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .
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