A REDLAND Bay resident has called for signs to be put up at boat ramps, warning jet ski and speed boat drivers of large numbers of dugong and calves in southern parts of the bay.
Dave Knight said he had lived in the Redlands for 30 years and never seen so many dugong.
Last week, more than 20 with calves gathered between Pannikin and St Clair islands over seagrass beds in less than 2m of water.
Mr Knight said he contacted Boating and Fisheries and police, each of whom said they would patrol the area.
“(Fisheries) said if they saw anyone deliberately running over a dugong or jumping in the water near them, they would fine them,’’ Mr Knight said. “But it would be so much more simple to put up warning signs.’’
A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service spokesperson said boaties should be vigilant and take care not to separate dugong mothers and calves. “While we always advise boaties in the marine park to ‘go slow for those below’, to protect marine wildlife such as dugong and turtles, the Pannikin and St Clair islands area is not one of the bay’s designated ‘go slow’ areas and thus QPWS has no powers there.
“The area is an unmarked channel and thus the frequency of vessel traffic in the area is generally low.’’
Mr Wright said the area was heavily used because it was a place that fishers gathered to catch prawns.
The spokeswoman said QPWS Moreton Bay Marine Park rangers would patrol the area this weekend and speak to boaties.
“There are marine park zoning signs at all boat ramps in Moreton Bay. Putting up extra signs at Victoria Point and Redland Bay boat ramps is not a feasible solution ... as skippers using the passage between Pannikin and St Clair can launch their vessels anywhere from the Gold Coast to Manly and even from ramps in the Logan River,’’ she said
Mr Knight said if it were koalas, authorities would put up warning signs.
Large numbers of dugong were in the area for calving, mating or feeding because Weinam Creek had not been dredged for about two years, allowing substantial seagrass growth.
“Every time there’s dredging, dugong disappear and fish are impacted but there’s been none for a while so we’re even seeing sea turtles and dolphins.’’
