CONSERVATION hero Bob Irwin has called upon the Federal Government to implement a moratorium on dugong kills.

The father of the late Steve Irwin says allowing the hunting of a critically endangered species is nonsense, and should be halted, until a committee is put in place to make more informed decisions about traditional hunting.

Irwin’s call follows Friday’s meeting in Cairns of more than 70 traditional owners to discuss sustainable use and future protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Irwin, who was the guest of local dugong campaigner Colin Riddell and a speaker at a Cairns business function, said it did not matter who was killing dugongs and sea turtles, it should be stopped.

"How do we stop it? If our government had the courage, I would like to see a total moratorium on the hunting of dugong until a special committee is put in place to make the right decisions," he said.

"Keeping in mind, though, we’ve also got to take into account that traditional owners in rural and remote areas do rely on dugongs for their food supply, so we need to keep that into account."

At Friday’s Sea Country Partnerships Forum, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority general manager Peter McGinnity expected more Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements to be formed after the landmark meeting.

TUMRAs tell how traditional owner groups work with government to manage traditional use activities such as dugong hunting.

>> For more stories on the dugong, go to Call to protect dugong and Dugong kill disgusts town leader

>> For video footage, take a look at Dugongs die in abandoned fishing net

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