AN Aboriginal leader is appalled by the deaths of three dugongs off Cairns, calling for the harshest penalty to be handed down to those involved.

The deaths of three dugongs that were trapped in a net off Cairns has triggered outrage from politicians, conservationists and the fishing industry.

The dugongs were spotted in the net about 3.5 nautical miles offshore from the city on Friday afternoon by crew onboard the navy landing vessel HMAS Labuan.

A fourth dugong trapped in the net and still alive was released back into the water by the crew.

Several Queensland authorities are investigating the origins of the net.

The net appeared to be a fishing net which, given the tide and wind, was presumed to have drifted from the Cairns harbour.

Yarrabah Mayor Percy Neal said whoever was responsible for the illegal netting should be punished to the full extent of the law.

"I don’t think that sort of nonsense should be tolerated," Cr Neal said.

"There’s only one way of catching dugongs and it’s a traditional way, not setting nets."

Cr Neal said the incident had sparked outrage across the community.

"I’m appalled," he said. "I don’t support it at all. And if there is any way of stopping these things, there should be.

"If it’s any of our people doing it, we’ll catch them.

"They should be given the highest punishment or penalties. It shouldn’t be tolerated in any society."

Fisheries Queensland, the state department responsible for regulating netting in Queensland, confirmed the mesh size of the net that entangled the dugongs on Friday was larger than permitted, making it illegal for commercial or indigenous fishers.

A department spokeswoman said the net was not marked and it was likely it was unattended, which was why it had come adrift.

The Cairns Post coverage:

» Dugongs die in abandoned fishing net

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