DUGONGS have been tracked for the first time swimming across the shark-infested stretch of ocean between Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea.

Scientists have been using a satellite to follow the journeys of three female and three male dugongs that were tagged between Mabuiag and Turnigan islands in September.

One of the six endangered sea mammals took a week to swim the 150km expanse of ocean between the islands into PNG waters, possibly in search of seagrass.

Another swam northwest towards the Gulf of Carpentaria, and four of the animals moved across different management boundaries. James Cook University researcher Dr Mariana Fuentes said their movements showed the importance of Torres Strait Islander communities and Papua New Guinea working together to manage their dugongs.

The Torres Strait supports the largest population of dugongs in the world, however, little is known about the mammals in the region.

“All of the information we’re getting is pretty exciting and new,” she said.

 To follow their journey visit www.seaturtle.org

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