Program Update
The Hervey Bay Dugong and Seagrass Monitoring Steering Committee was formed after a public meeting in Hervey Bay in February 1997, which was attended by more than 100 concerned residents. The meeting addressed the full extent of the seagrass loss, the studies that have been undertaken, the dugongs' plight, the absence of any real actions to redress the situation, and, most pleasingly, the eagerness of many people from such diverse walks of life to become involved in a dugong and seagrass monitoring program. People with scientific and research backgrounds joined with recreational and commercial fishermen, divers, environmentalists, teachers and students to demonstrate their concern for not only the future of seagrass and dugongs, but for the future of their community. The health and well-being of Hervey Bay is inextricably linked to the health of its marine environments. Environmentalists, scientists and others are concerned by the noticeable changes in the marine environment which have resulted from the seagrass die-off. Hervey Bay was home to one of Australia's largest and healthiest dugong populations before the 1992 disaster. Some reports say dugong numbers may be rebuilding, but a more detailed monitoring program is needed to determine the nature and extent of any population change. The time has come for a detailed program to monitor Hervey Bay's waters and its seagrass beds. A committee was formed about six months ago. Since then a lot of work has been done, tasks defined, goals set, help enlisted. A massive network of people is now poised to take the next steps in the dugong and seagrass monitoring program.