A CAIRNS navy vessel delayed its journey to Cooktown to participate in an Anzac Day service after crew spotted four dugongs trapped in a net off Cairns yesterday.
Three of the dugongs pulled from the water were dead, while a fourth was still alive and released back into the water by navy crew.
A shovel nosed shark also trapped in the net was freed as well.
Conservationists have applauded the crew’s actions but branded the killings a dark day for Far North Queensland’s wildlife.
Two of the dead dugongs were about 2m long while the largest to have died measured 3m, indicating it was a
mature adult capable of breeding.
The landing vessel HMAS Labuan had just left port bound for Cooktown when the trapped animals were spotted by crew about 3.5 nautical miles offshore around 3pm.
Lt Steven Noakes said rough weather had created difficult conditions for the rescue.
While one of the dugongs was able to be saved, Lt Noakes said some of his crew were greatly upset by the kills.
"They’re a great bunch of guys and I think there will be some guys on board who will feel a bit disappointed to see what we’ve got here today," he said.
"It’s obviously very upsetting."
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers met the vessel at port and hoisted the three dead dugongs on to the back of a truck to be taken away for an autopsy.
The net appeared to be a fishing net which, given the tide and wind, was presumed to have drifted out from the Cairns harbour.
Department of Environment and Resource Management regional marine manager Richard Quincey said the department would work with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Royal Australian Navy and Fisheries to investigate the incident further.
Cairns and Far North Environment Centre co-ordinator Steve Ryan described the incident as a disaster.
